The round preacher, or, Reminiscences of Methodist circuit life

Preface

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

It is with mingled feelings that the Second Edition of the "Round Preacher" is issued. The extensive sale which the work has commanded, is ample evidence that the subject is one of no slight importance. Notwithstanding the many criticisms which have appeared upon it, (favourable and otherwise) it has not been deemed advisable to make any material alterations, and for the best of all reasons, that facts, however clothed, are still facts, and cannot be overthrown. It is not by this intended to imply that the writer is unwilling to profit by the suggestions and hints which have been thrown out, but as another work is in preparation which may cast additional light upon the present, he will reserve the main portion of his apology until then. Still it may be advisable to notice what he conceives to be the mistakes of those who arc not conversant with the workings of modern Methodism. The peculiar tendencies and workings of the system have heretofore been calmlv stated, and deliberate! v

IV PREFACE.

discussed. But this mode of procedure has not borne the fruit that might have been expected. Nor was it likely — There is so much of the fanatical, and absurd in the system, that its real workings can only be seen when these are fully depicted. The masses of the people who are ensnared by Methodism are not aware of the improprieties they perpetrate, but when they see these portrayed they may, it is to be hoped, learn how shocking it is to offer such confused worship to the King of kings and Lord of lords. It was the strong conviction of this fact that induced the author of the "Round Preacher" to set down in their own language the scenes here described. The task he felt was an ungrateful one, and one which does as much violence to his own feelings as to those of others. But yet he believes that all thoughtful minds will not impute to him, that apparent recklesness on holy subjects, which he, no less than they, regrets. The blame rests with those that are parties in the scenes described, and who sanction them by their presence, and support, not with him who merely gives a faithful delineation of what he has seen, and heard.

II. It has been further urged as an objection, that the making of the whole body responsible for the acts of individual fanatics, is unfair and ungenerous. Now as a general rule he candidly admits the truth of this

PREFACE. V.

objection. But it by no means applies for an instant to the subject of which this book treats. He has not taken individual instances, and sweepingly condemned the whole body because of them. In one sense there is individuality in the book, in another none. He contends that he has done justice to the better informed, whilst he has nothing exaggerated, " or set aught down in malice." The scenes here described are ot daily occurrence, they are not partial.* Such sad confusion, irreligion, and semi-blasphemy obtain nowhere so much, as in Methodist Prayer-Meetings, Love-feasts, &c. And all these statements made on these points he defies any one to deny. And if such be really the case, it is not only needful, but an absolute duty, not only for the sake of those who are misled, but also for others who may be ensnared, to speal in no stammering language of such awful desecration He has prepared cases illustrative of this. One onl} he subjoins, taken from a Provincial paper, writtei since this book was issued, and which shows most in disputably the truthful reality of the author's state ments. —

* Of course the characters will be taken by all judiciou readers as merely the type of a class ; the seems compromis the whole body.

VI. PREFACE.

Melancholy Exhibition of Superstition in Bibmingham " For some weeks past, a person styling himself ' the Rev. J. Caughey, formerly a minister of the episcopal church in America/ has been holding a series of those religious meetings termed e revivals,' in some of the dissenting chapels in Birmingham, and at which some very extravagant scenes are stated to have occurred. His audiences have been very numerous, and composed principally of females. On Sunday last, it was given out that Mr. Caughey would preach at a chapel in Islington, in that town. On this occasion the doors of the chapel were ' litterally beseiged,' and hundreds were unable to obtain admission. The rev. gentleman's discourse consisted chiefly of violent appeals to the passions of his auditory, in the extreme of declamation, dealing out the most fierce denunciations against those who would not " seek their own salvation ;" and concluded by inviting their attendance in the afternoon, when an effect would be given to the morning's discourse. In the afternoon there was a similar rush to the chapel. Mr. Caughey, with several assistants, stood within the altar, and invited all who wished to be saved to come up to him. A party (chiefly females) obeyed the invitation ; and then commenced a most indescriable scene ; some were crying, some sobbing, some praying, and all appeared to be in a state of great ex-

PREFACE. Vll.

citement and alarm; which was also shared by the greater part of the congregation, some of whom were on their knees, others were standing erect, with their arms extended, and offering up prayers, while some were gesticulating violently, and muttering incoherent expressions. This extraordinary scene ended by one or two of the females being carried into the vestry in an apparently fainting condition. One happy couple (a man and his wife) were so touched, that they grasped the rails of the altar, and so remained for about threequarters of an hour. One of the assistants knelt down in front of the female, and very urgently begged her to believe. Before a very long period had elapsed he stood up and cried out, " Glory ! glory ! she believes ;" upon this announcement being made, the whole assembly within the altar took up the cry, and the phrases "glory ! glory ! hallelujah ! Amen," resounded through the chapel. The work having advanced thus far, Mr, Caughey descended from the pulpit to the altar, and intimated to the audience that the woman would be saved that afternoon — that this fact had been revealed to him by the voice of God ; he further declared that her husband had been saved the previous week, and was then praying that his wife might be saved too. At this moment the assistant again cried out, that " she was saved ;' whereupon the singing began afresh, and

Vlll. PREFACE.

the poor creature, whose imagination had been dreadfully worked upon, was borne, in an apparently fainting state, from the^ altar in the arms of her husband. In this state she was taken to the vestry by the assistants, and the door having been closed and order somewhat restored, this concluded the service. — In the evening Mr. Caughey delivered another discourse, when a similar scene was enacted.

Now let it be borne in mind that this said Mr. Caughey meets with a ready reception, and is regarded as a most admirable revivalist. It is not therefore, unfair to hold the body responsible for these and similar acts, which they not only do not repress, but which they actually countenance.*

The author has now only to express his thanks to those critics who have meeted out their praise to the work ; and to request others who have been startled at its character, to hold their minds in abeyance, until they have perused the work just alluded to, as being in course of preparation.

* There is no need to take hold even of this particular, as the whole body are undoubtedly compromised by the character of their daily and weekly meetings.

THE PBEACHING COUPLE.

Chapter I

"attempt no more to abridge me of my liberty which i claim by the laws of god and man — lea"ve me to be governed by god and my own conscience, then will i govern you with gentle sway even as christ the church."— Wesley's Letter to his Wife.

In the year 18 — it pleased the Wesleyan Conference to appoint me to a small circuit in the West of England. No sooner did I hear of the appointment, than I wrote to the " Chairman of my District," requesting him most earnestly to get it changed for a small circuit in the Liverpool District. I told him that I had received a very pressing invitation from that Circuit, which I had accepted. And this for two reasons; first, because such was the wish of my parents, and secondly, I was induced to

A.

do so, by a consideration for my own health, to restore which, nothing proved so effectual as my native air. In answer to my letter, " The Chairman of my District" assured me that he would use his utmost exertions to secure for me the desired appointment.

My father being a person of considerable property, and very liberal to the " cause," possessed some influence in the Connexion. A few weeks before the Conference, he entertained at his house, two members of the " Stationing Committee," who promised to use their interest to get me appointed to the town in question. The solicitations of father and son — the invitation of the Circuit — as well as the united influence of "the Chairman of the District," and private friends, proved ineffectual. Neither prayers nor intreaties could move the inexorable Committee, or rather, I ought to say, certain leading members of that Committee ; for I doubt not there were many belonging to it who sympathized with me, and would gladly have lent me their support, if they had had the courage to oppose the mightier of their brethren. But such a course of procedure would have endangered their own interests— a result by no means desirable.

When my father heard of my appointment, he exclaimed, " What ! am I still a marked sheep ? have they not yet paid off the grudge ? Does the Leeds organ still sound harshly in their ears ?* It is surely hard," continued he, " that my sin should be visited upon my son — if indeed it were a sin to assert and maintain my rights against the aggressions of tyranny and oppression !"

My father had ventured to oppose the " Superintendent" of his Circuit in the too lordly exercise of his authority. From that time he was regarded as disaffected to the whole system of Wesleyan government ; whilst in truth he was one of its firmest supporters. He had never joined the rampant faction ; but had, on all occasions, opposed the spirit of innovation. And yet, he was accounted an enemy to the consti-

* Appendix A.

A 2 tution, and was treated as a rebel. The ruling powers were displeased with him. In order to make him feel this most acutely, I was sent to a circuit three hundred miles from home.

Upon enquiry, I found that the Superintendent of mv new circuit was an avaricious, vain, and envious man ; his wife miserly and overbearing. Her presumption knew no bounds ; she had, in fact, gone so far as to take upon herself the exercise of the ministerial functions.

Before I went to my new appointment, I paid a visit to my parents. Scarcely, however, had three days elapsed ere I received a letter from Mr. Timothy Sleekface, my new Superintendent, ordering me to repair immediately to my circuit. In reply I informed him that my father was dangerously ill, and that I was engaged in settling some important family matters ; but would hasten to my appointment as soon as I possibly could.

Judge, therefore, of my surprise when, by return of post, I received the following letter from Mrs. Timothy Sleekface :

THE PREACHING COUPLE. O

" My dear Brother in Christ Jesus,

" My dear partner and fellow-labourer in the Gospel, received your letter of the 20th hist., and is much surprised at the very independent way of acting you seem to have taken upon you. We think it would have been more comely in a young man on " probation,"* if you had humbly asked your Superintendent's permission to stay a few days longer with your parents. We are very sorry to hear of the illness of your father ; but we cannot see how your presence can heal his sickness. My dear partner wishes me to say that you must leave the ' dead to bury their dead,' and allow others to transact worldly business. The Church calls you to your duty; souls are perishing daily around us : oh ! hasten to save them, as an angel of mercy, ere they perish for ever. Be assured that your God will take care of your lather : leave him in his hands, and be quick to help us. Both myself and my husband have been labouring night and day, till our strength

* Appendix R.

A 3 is well nigh gone. It is settled for you to lodge with us, and I and my dear partner will be to you as a father and mother. May the Lord give you journeying mercies, and bring you up among us c in the fulness of the blessings of the gospel of peace.' My partner and daughters salute you ; and, not forgetting to give you and your parents an interest in our prayers, I remain Your faithful fellow-labourer in the gospel,

Dorcas Sleekface."

The perusal of this apostolical epistle awakened deep reflection within my breast. I could not but think that, had Mrs. Sleekface been following the example of her namesake, in providing clothes for the poor, her time would have been more profitably employed than in officiously writing to me. Knowing that it was a serious thing to incur the displeasure of my Superintendent, I set off for my circuit on the following day. I was full three days in travelling ; I did not, however, make a convenience

THE PREACHING COUPLE.

of the society on my way, by sponging on their hospitality. The first night, I slept at the house of a relative, and the second at a neat inn ; but unfortunately was put into damp sheets, which gave me a severe cold. In the morning I called for the landlady, and said to her " You ought to see that your servants do not put people into damp sheets, for nothing is so dangerous."

" You don't mean to say, Sir," said the landlady, interrupting me, " that either you or anybody else, was ever put into damp sheets, or damp anything else at my house."

"I mean to say," I replied, "that my sheets were not properly aired, last night, and that I am now shivering with cold through it."

"Why, Sir, I put them down to the fire myself; didn't I, now, Boots ?" said she, appealing to a stupid looking youth.

" Yes, ma'am, I seed you ; and I know they mun be dry, for they quite smoked, and I took 'em away afeerd they should be gettin burnt."

" Had they been to the fire long when you took then) away ?" I asked.

" No, they warn't at the fire two minutes ; for I was afeerd on 'em gettin burned," replied he.

" They were evidently damp," I rejoined, "for it was steam that the Boots saw coming from them, and not smoke, as he imagines." The landlady however stoutly maintained that the sheets were all right, and, in a short time, she mustered all the servants to testify to the truth of her assertion. The cook said that she put them to the fire again after John had taken them away, and had turned them three times. The chambermaid said she had also turned them four times. The bar-maid asserted that as she passed through the kitchen she saw them scorching, and so removed them further off the fire. I made no answer, but ordered up my breakfast.

The boots remained in the room. "Pray Sir," says he, " if you woant think me too forrard in axin you a question, mayn't you be a methodist preacher a returnin from Conference ?" I replied that I was a methodist preacher, but that I had not been to Conference. " 1 thought," said John, "as if you was

THE PKEACHING COUPLE. 9

ner a preacher, my eyes deceived me. Shake hands, brother, for I am one a' the Local brothers,* and preaches the gospel to poor perishing sinners. I get planned out once a three weeks, and the missus sometimes grumbles at me goin. She threatened to turn me away a while ago, becoz she catched me reading Mr. Wesley's notes in the shoe-cleanin place ; and she called me a thief becoz as I robbed her on her time ; but the Lord knows as I only reads a bit when I've nothin else to do, to pick up a bit a fodder for my Master's sheep, and I donner know any pasture so good as Mr. Wesley's. You think the same, I suppose, donner you, brother ?"

" Well, for my part," I replied, " I think the Bible affords better pasture."

"Sartainly, very right, brother," answered John, "p'raps I ought to ha' sed as Mr. Wesley's is the best roads to the pasture : they are short and straight, and no gates to open, or stiles to get over. His is a sort a' railroad, and cuts

* Appendix C.

through the hills — makes all a plain — stops but a bit at a place, and takes you through a chapter in no time."

The bell now rung for him. "That's for me," said John, "but I've got just one particular thing to ax you — and it's this : Some a' a'ar society says as I ought to leave my place, for it's not consistent, they think, for a preacher to be a sarrant at a inn. Now I don't quite see as they do : I consider inns as necessary, and as openin a wide field for usefulness to a devoted man. Iv'e saved I known't how many men from drunkenness, as comes to this house ; and the missus says, as if I interfere in her custom, I mun leave. — But I'm now a gettin too divartin. Now I want to ax you this, brother : if there hadna been a inn for our Saviour's parents to ha' gone to, they must ha' been lyin out all night, and ha' got cold. Now, as it was, they got a lodging ; but, alas ! a very sorry un. Now supposin there had been at that inn, a Boots like me, Joseph and Mary wud niver ha' lodged in the stable: they should ha' had a good comfortable bed, and I'd ha' taken good care as their shoes had been well polished." The bell now rung a louder peal, and John very reluctantly left me.

I had not time to finish my breakfast before the coach started. I shivered with cold all the day, and was glad when we reached the place of my destination. A few friends were waiting the arrival of the coach to receive me : amongst them there was a ragged and greasy currier, who introduced himself to me as a leader,* shook me by the hand, and invoked the blessing of heaven on my labours. He left me for a moment, and returned bringing with him a coal-porter, whom he introduced as a local-preacher. " God bless you," said the porter, " the Lord has answered a'ar prayers, and brought you among us in safety, I hope you will hev many seals to your ministry " Whilst my hand was in the gripe of the coal-porter, I received a friendly tap on the shoulder, and a wretched looking old man, addressing me, said, " Well brother Sparks, how be's you ! Is your soul a prosperin ? I'm glad you be come to gee us a lift in this part of the vineyard, for things is in a very bad state ; the devil has been a sawin the seeds a dividin among us, but you'll hear plenty on it from the super and his wife. I belong to the Levites, that sect as looked arter the temple, for I look arter the chapel cleanin out, and such like. I'm come to cany your luggage."

Escorted by three tradesmen, the currier, and the coal-porter, the last of whom, kindly offered me his arm, of which good service however I did not avail myself, I proceeded to Mr. Sleekface's. The Levite took me round to the backdoor, in compliance with Mrs. Sleekface's orders, that I might divest myself of my travelling dress before I made my appearance in the parlour. The door of the kitchen was open, which gave me a glimpse of a young person cleaning the hearth, who, on my entering, ran away from her work. I asked the Levite why the servant maid fled away in such haste.

" Oh brother," said he, "it was'nt the sarvantgal, but it was Miss Sleekface, who does all the work, her and her sister together, except by chance my wife now and then gives 'em a helpin hand, for some broken victuals. The preachers afore 'em nearly alla's has kept a sarvant, and I think they is soft if they don't, for they get pay for one from quarter day. I think, if I ar'nt wrong informed, that they get eight pound a year allowed for one. I was very sony they was'nt for keeping one, as I thought as I p'raps might ha' got a'ar Mary the place. So you see as she gets eight pound a year by makin her daughters drudge the work. They are very industrious and pious gals, and as I hear will hev a big fortin, for the super is worth thousands a thousands. I was tel'd t'other day as he has got iver so many thousands in the funds, whether it's the chapel fund, or contingent fund, I don't know. I'm told as he is worth about a thousand a year If I may be a givin you a bit of advice, brother," continued he, "I should recommend you to mak love to one on em, I should say the oldest, for she is the propcrest age for marrying, is very good-looking, and is pious, and has lots a' what your preachers consider the one thing needful. I know she would like to be married, for she has often told my wife so when they have been washin together."

The Levite was interrupted by the appearance of Miss Sleekface. She apologized for the absence of her father and mother, who, she told me, were gone into the Circuit to a Missionary Meeting. We conversed together for some time. I soon discovered that she was a girl of quick perception, acute discrimination, and tolerably well informed : but faulty in her pronunciation, and sadly deficient in her knowledge of syntax. An air of melancholy shaded her countenance, and the marks of sorrow were on her face ; her form was slender and symmetrical, and her features regular and expressive : her bright dark eyes gleamed from under fine arched eye-brows, and the elevation of her forehead betokened intellect. Her person derived no grace from her dress, for it was vulgar and old fashioned, and her manners were stiff and awkward; but with a better manner and a more cultivated mind, she would be, thought I, the loveliest of women. Miss Esther appeared still more grief-worn. Her countenance was like dark marble, gloomy and cold. Her form was short and thick set, and her features were very irregular. She spoke more incorrectly than her sister, and was more awkward in her carriage. I saw many a tale of woe written on their countenances, and I longed to know the cause of their wretchedness.

I retired to bed before Mr. and Mrs. Sleekface returned home from their missionary excursion. I had a very restless night, for what with the clattering and scratching of the rats and mice amongst the lumber in my bed-room, the hard and uneven texture of my bed, the shivering cold all over me, and my sad feelings, I had scarcely any sleep all the night. When I rose in the morning I was weary, stiff, and cold. I met Mr. and Mrs. Sleekfacc at breakfast. It would be a difficult task, accurately to describe the personal appearance of this unique couple. Mr. Sleekface seemed about sixty years of age, was above the middle size, rather round shouldered, with his head inclining forward. His forehead was contracted, and retreating, and presented a rough and wrinkled surface. The crown of his head was perfectly bald, and shone with a burnished lustre, and at the back of it there hung a few long grey hairs, which over-thatched the collar of his coat. There was an unmistakeable cunning in his small pale grey eye, and no little grotesqueness in his huge nose, which overhung his mouth, as if the dreadful guardian of its entrance. He was dressed in a rusty suit of black, which had evidently undergone several operations of scouring and mending. The coat was of the most antique make, patched in several places, and the collar very greasy ; the waistcoat which was not much better, sat loosely upon him, and was only half buttoned, leaving room for the insertion of his right hand. He wore small clothes, and sooty worsted hose, which but ill suited his thin and mis-shapen legs.

Mrs. Sleekface was about the same height, but much more robust in her make, and appeared about ten years younger. Her features were large and irregular. Her forehead was well developed, but jagged and uneven, with projecting eye bones, under which there dwelt large and piercing eyes. If her nose had not been so flat, her lips so thick, and her chin so large, and so encumbered with fat, she would have possessed a good countenance. She dressed in a peculiar manner. She wore a plain net cap, with a very narrow single border, and a broad black ribbon crossed her head. Her dress was made close to the neck, with sleeves that fitted tight to her arms, so as not to impede their motion when preaching. A white neckerchief enclosing a stiffener, propped up her chin which gave her a heavenly aspect.

As soon as I entered the parlour, this worthy couple shook me by the hand, congratulating me on my safe arrival, inquired very feeliiujhf alter my parents, and invoked the blessing of heaven on mv labours. Mr. Sleekface bade me

B sit down by the fire, and make myself at home, reminding me in the most humane manner that we were all brethren, and assuring me with the greatest tenderness that he would ever act as a father to me. We drew up to the fire, which was rapidly decaying, having nearly done its appointed work, that of boiling the water.

"Now, Tabitha, dear," said he, " make haste with breakfast : you are all behind with your work — here, it is half-past seven o'clock, and the breakfast is not ready. Why didn't you get up when I called you at half-past five ? I shouted out, * Tabitha, arise,' and you must have heard me. Miss Tabitha assured him that she did not remember his having called her ; for being tired, and going to bed late the previous evening, she had slept very soundly.

"You ought not to sleep as do others," replied the father, ' but shake off dull sloth and take time by the forelock.' Your grandmother used to say that an hour in the morning was worth more than two in the after-part of the day. And I remember your aunts (poor things !

their spirits now rest with God) used to be made to get up every morning, both winter and summer, at four o'clock, and they milked half-a dozen cows a-piece before breakfast. I wonder how you fine ladies would like such sort of work now-a-days. Yes ! and they were fine bouncing women, I assure you; very different to your poor sickly things of the present day. Call your sister Esther, to toast the bread, and I'll blow the fire, whilst your mother puts out the tea-things ; and brother Sparks will please to read us a chapter out of the Bible for our edification."

Preparations for breakfast were now rapidly made. A small round table was drawn near the fire, on which was placed a tea-tray, and on it was depicted the Apostles partaking of the Last Supper. It was furnished with a curious variety of crockery, and an old bruised metal tea-pot. Mrs. Sleekface measured out three small teaspoons-full of black tea, and in doing this, she dropped a few particles upon the tray, every one of which she carefully picked up and depo-

B 2 sited with the rest in the pot ; she then placed it on the hob for five minutes, that the strength of the tea might be exhausted, and having filled the pot with water, she poured out two cups, and then filled up the pot again, saying that by so doing, " the tea was good to the last."

The dry toast was heaped up on a blue plate, and placed beside a yellow pot containing some salt butter.

" Now, brother Sparks," said Mrs. Sleekface, "draw up to the table ; we offer you in the name of the Lord, the blessings which his kind providence lias bestowed upon us. Now, dear," addressing her husband, " will you ask a blessing?" Mr. Sleekface hereupon lifted up his hands towards heaven — closed his eyes — and offered up the following prayer :