Christianity in earnest , as exemplified in the life and labours of the Rev. Hodgson Gasson

Preface

The rapid sale of this work has induced the compiler to issue another edition, which has been carefully revised and enlarged. He desires respectfully to acknowledge the flattering communications received from several of the Colleagues of the late Mr. Casson, as well as from other Ministers and friends, expressive of their approbation of the work, and their conviction of the faithfulness of the portraiture. He has had the gratification to learn that the book has been made a blessing to many who have read it; and he is encouraged to hope that its more extensive circulation will, through the blessing of God, be productive of still more gracious results. To those kind friends who have favoured the writer, and his brother, with their valuable aid, — he desires to repeat his most grateful acknowledgments ; and trusts that where

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4: PREFACE.

specific mention of names may have been omitted} this general expression of obligation will be accepted.

The writer lias no pecuniary interest in the publication, but will have his reward if the narrative should promote the edification of the church, and if he has succeeded in rescuing from oblivion the name of a man whose memory is venerated in every place where he has laboured, and whose character as a Minister, so far justifies the late Dr. Chalmers's eiilogistic description of Wesleyan Methodism, as to lead to its selection as the most appropriate title to this work.

A. STEELE.

Barnard Castle.

Chapter I

Introductory remarks— Diversity of minds— Mr. Casson's birth and parentage — Absence of religious advantages — Apprenticeship — Early ebullitions of wit — Arrows of conviction— Strivings of the Spirit — Rod of affliction — Partial reformation— Groping in the dark — Attends prayer-meetings— Tisits his uncle — Embarrassing request— Singular expedient— Hears the Rev. B. Gregory preach —His -wounded spirit — Attends Class-meeting— Obtains the forgiveness of sins. Page 9 — 19.

Chapter II

The transformation— Inflexibility of purpose— Religion developes a man's true powers : Saul of Tarsus, Mr. Casson— Compassion for souls— Begins to preach— Narrow escape from being assassinated by Papists— Severely wounded— Cecil's remarks on preaching — Cultivation of mind— Favourite authors— Received on trial for the Christian ministry— Appointed to Ayr— Rev. G. Thompson— Unity of spirit— Dr. Chalmers— Discouraging commencement— Novel experiment: its success — Disappointments — Melancthon.

Chapter III

Advantages of a periodical change of Ministers — Removes to Kendal — Extensive field of labour — Unpromising entrance on his work- Self-sacrifice— First Sabbath at Kendal— A spark of fire— First visit to Sedburg — Anecdote of his hostess — A great awakening at Kendal— "Bochim" — Unexpected meeting — The new class— Scene at a village tavern — " Casson's oak " — Extraordinary answer to prayer— The turf-cutter— The Sabbath-breaker— Tires out the bell-ringers— Tom runch— Rev. T. L. Hodgson— Great increase in church members. Page 31 — 15.

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6 CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

Finishes his term of probation, and is set apart for the full work of the ministry— Removes to Brough — Rev. J. Rawson — United efforts to promote a revival — Camp-meeting near Appleby — Mr. Casson's personal appearance as a preacher — The sermon : "Nothing but leaves" — "Come aw-a-a-a-a-a-ay " — The Camp-meeting resumed — Another sermon : Moses's choice — The besetting sin — The balance struck— Enters the marriage-state — Eccentricities — Ingenious plan to arouse the villagers : " The cart before the horse " — Purity of motive — Fletcher, of Madeley — The wandering beggar — Her conversion — The poor man asking alms — His retreat — Attack of illness at Brough — Letter to a soldier— Re-commences bis labours — Results of his ministry — Vote at the County election — The clerk's hesitation — Mr. Casson's designation approved by Mr. (now Lord) Brougham. Page 46—63.

Chapter V

Appointed to Dumfries— Depressed state of Wesleyan Methodism— Kis first sermon— Brighter days dawn — Letter to the Editor of the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine— Great revival — Mr. Sleeman — The wei Sunciay — Singular apology for his new convert — The last request, and best legacy— The commercial traveller — A word in season— Dumfries races and the Lovefeast— Changes with the Preachers at Carlisle and Whitehaven — Characteristic letter— Letter to a pious woman : the church in the house — Illness of Mrs. Casson — Consolation under affliction — The victory — Her death — Invitation to Mr. Atkinson to preach the funeral sermon —Weeping and sowing— Letter to Mary Rigg : Happiness in the domestic circle; good advice — David Hume — Mr. Casson an example that a religious man can be a happy man. Page 64 — 85.

Chapter VI

Appointed to Richmond and Reeth— The lead-miners— Flourishing state of Wesleyan Methodism — Delight in singing— Robbing Satan of his music— Letter to a friend— Breaks up a company of cardplayers— His second marriage — Aldborough— Bold attack on the

CONTENTS. 7

enemy's camp at the village feast — Itinerant musicians — Pelted by the rabble — Visit to Masham — Conversion of a young lady— Lettei to Miss Burnell— The old lady terrified— Sabbath cricketing— A bold experiment— The chimney-sweep's promise kept— His conversion—Epileptic fits— Happy state of mind. Page 86 — 104.

Chapter VII

Removes to Gateshead— Depraved state of public morals— Rev. J. Mann — Letters to Mr. Atkinson, and a lady — His popularity — Devoted attention to pulpit preparation — Remarkable suspension of his Epileptic fits — Swalwell Sabbath-breakers — Their revenge frustrated— Death-bed disclosures — Pentecostal visit— Letter to Mr. Dalton — Revival at Easington Lane — The Gateshead fight — Missionary excursions — The harvest sermon — Bishop Auckland — The knotty question settled— Scene in the Bishop of Durham's Park — The chief-butler — Cheering improvement of the Circuit — Dancing-room scene — The steam-packet — The old fiddler — The swearer's prayer — The "lost man" saved — Great increase of church members. Page 105—129.

Chapter VIII

Appointed to Durham — Peculiar position of Wesleyan Methodism there — Mr. Casson's fame — Commencement of better days — His exertion brings on a renewal of his fits — His self-sacrifice — Eccentricities — Testimony of his brethren in the ministry— Popularity amongst the colliers — Rev. J. Shipman — His estimate of Mr. Casson's character — Letter to Mr. J. Steele — Sympathy with a bereaved family — Visit to Barnard Castle — A cheerful and happy companion — The donkey driver — Death of the Rev. R. Ellidge — Rev. J. Carr — Remarkable answer to prayer — Habitual communion with God— Testimony of friends — The pitmen's strike — Results of his labours— A high place in glory. Page 130 — 150.

Chapter IX

Appointed to North and South Shields — Mr. Casson in the pulpit — Crowded congregations — Preaches before the District Meeting — Vote of thanks — Rev. R. Miller's opinion of the sermon— i CONTENTS.

Peculiarities of his preaching — Sketch of a sermon : the balm in Gilead — Characteristic incident : jealousy of pulpit refinement- Letter to Mr. J. Steele : the retail and wholesale work — Death of Rev. R. Nicholson — Rev. A. Strachan — Importance of reaching the out-door population — Adaptation of Mr. Casson for this work — Great success at Cramlington Colliery — The empty coal-waggon — " Lift all together !" — A cheerful companion— His sypathising spirit. Page 151—168.

Chapter X

Invitation to Birstal — His meek and forgiving spirit — His new Circuit — Birth-place of John Nelson — Rev. H. Beech — Rev. J. Bolam — Remarkable occurrence in travelling — Letter to Mr. Kimpster — The Leeds Conference — Letter to Mr. J. Steele — Attachment to Wesleyan Methodism — Earnest desire for the renewal of his labours at Gateshead — Isaac Crowther, Esq. — Appointed Supernumerary— Severe trial— Letter to Mr. J. Eimpster — Visits many Circuits — Letter to Mr. Bolam — Goes to the Newcastle Conference — Desires for more active ministerial employment — Disappointed expectation — Writes to Mr. Atkinson and Mr. Kimpster — Letter of sympathy with the Rev. J. Bolam — Attachment to his colleagues. Page 169 — 191.

Chapter XI

Highly esteemed at Birstal— Increasing physical debility— Contracts his sphere of labour — Perfect resignation — Love of prayer- Protracted devotion — Unhappy dissensions in the church — Mrs. Casson — Her affliction— Her peaceful death — Mr. Casson's Christian resignation — Affecting scene at York — Hooker, on the death of saints — Ready for departure — Interview with two ladies — The old man's request— Increasing weakness — The ruling passion — The last interview — His death — Funeral sermon — Estimate of his character. Page 192 — 211.

MEMOIRS

OF

THE REV. HODGSON CASSON.

Chapter I His Eaely Life And Conversion

"There is a great diversity of character among real Christians. Education, constitution, and circumstances will fully explain this diversity. Some men are born minute men : they will hunt through libraries to rectify a syllable. Other men are born keen as a razor : they have a sharp, severe, strong acumen: they cut everything to pieces." — Cecil.

The works of God are distinguished not merely by their beautyj order, and harmony, but by their vast variety. If we look into the vegetable, the mineral, or the animal kingdom, whilst the general law of nature rules in the leading features which mark any particular subject of our investigation, yet there is not always the same unbroken chain of uniformity. It is the same in the world of mankind : the variety of complexion that we meet with in mind, is, to some extent, analogous to that which we discover in the countenance : and the mind has its correspondent influence on the course of action, and directs the movements of the great wheel of life. The successful merchant diverges from the beaten track pursued by his competitors, and there is the secret of his prosperity; the renowned warrior has his own peculiar mode of conducting his military tactics, and gains the laurels of victory ; the profound statesman brings from the depths of a penetrating mind his own peculiar scheme of policy, and astonishes observers by those capabilities which ai-e developed in the career of his administration. And is it surprising if in the Christian world, we meet with a similar variety of mind and action, as exhibited either in private individuals, or in those who occupy a more conspicuous part, in the carrying on of the great work of God 1 Whilst the heavenly bodies move in order in their courses, each has its own appointed orbit, and shines with its own particular brightness ; and though the track which it follows may sometimes appear to us irregular and eccentric, and not altogether in harmony with the general system, yet there is a controlling power above, overruling the whole, and rendering each individual part subservient to the accomplishment of His great designs. These remarks will be illustrated in the religious career of the subject of this memoir. "Whilst as a Christian and a Minister, he appeared as " a burning and a shining light," and so commends

RET. HODGSON CASSON. 11

himself to our imitation, — yet there undoubtedly were certain peculiarities of mind and conduct which were essentially his own, which for others to imitate would be to render themselves as ridiculous as the ass in the fable when he put on the lion's skin. The business of the faithful biographer is not to paint an ideal representation of excellence, on the one hand, or; on the othex 1 , to dress up u, grotesque figure, to excite the mirth of his readers ; but to present as far as he is able a true and faithful portrait of the man, so that the leading features may be at once recognised by those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and those who knew him not personally may be enabled to picture him to' the mind's eye.

Hodgson Oasson was born at "Workington, in Cumberland, in the year 1788. Our knowledge of his early history is limited. It does not appear, however, that he derived any peculiar advantages from his parents, or from the place of his birth. His father and mother, although outwardly moral, were at that time strangers to the vital power of godliness. Some external show of religion was kept up, by their attendance on the services of the Established Church; and on a Sabbath evening the family Bible was brought out, a portion of the sacred volume read, and occasionally a prayer, probably selected from the Church Liturgy, was offered up; and here their devotional exercises terminated, — the closing benediction being a seasonable release from what was regarded as an irksome and tedious task. His parents being strangers to the enjoyment of experimental religion themselves, it is not to be wondered at that they should manifest no anxious concern for the immortal interests of a rising family of eleven children, of whom Hodgson was the eldest.

Workington, at that period, was not favoured with any peculiar religious advantages. Its contiguity to "Whitehaven, an old Wesleyan station, had brought it under the eye of the two Ministers stationed there ; but the large tract of country around demanding a portion of their ministerial labours, "Workington, as might naturally be expected, could obtain but a partial supply. It is not at all surprising, therefore, that in a soil so unpromising, no fruits of holiness should spring up in our young friend : the seeds of depravity sown in his heart, soon produced a plentiful crop, and the propensities of the carnal mind gradually developed themselves.

At an early period of life, his father took him U assist him in his own occupation, but afterwards put him apprentice to a grocer in Workington. Ardent and buoyant in his natural temperament, he entered with zest into the pleasures of the world, and was led by Satan a captive at his will : whilst

REV. HODGSON CASSOtf. 13

his ready wit and humour constituted him the life and soul of his wicked companions, they were proud to regard him as their leader ; and together they plunged into the vortex of dissipation and folly. The eccentricities which distinguished him through life, began even then to peep out, in numerous puerile acts of mischievous sport; such as secretly taking out the linchpins of the neighbours' carts, that he might enjoy the merry laugh in seeing the wheel run off, — together with other tricks of a similar character. Yet, in the midst of his sinful mirth, he was far from being happy. " I endeavoured," he says, " to feed the devil's swine with witticisms, in which I had become a tolerable proficient : but although my companions were gratified, it was not so with me; though I fain 1 would have filled my belly with the husks which the swine did eat,' yet still there remained an aching void." And there was no singularity in his case. It is said that the celebrated clown Grimaldi, at the very time that he was applauded

"By clapping theatres and shouting crowds," was the unhappy subject of inward torture and anguish, from which, with all his powers of diverting others, he felt himself unable to escape.

Mr. Casson was not permitted to pursue his jovial career unchecked. Arrows of conviction, shot by an unseen hand, penetrated his guilty conscience, and a voice, which as yet he knew not, called him

B to seek God's face. His own description of these visits of Divine grace is so graphic and telling, that we prefer quoting his own language. " I felt the striving of God's Holy Spirit, but did not understand it. 'Light shined into darkness, but the darkness comprehended it not.' I dreaded the justice of God; sometimes I wished there was no God. Death and eternity were subjects that often came into my mind, but I had no desire to think or converse on these gloomy subjects. I had not only an aversion to the cold grave, but feared to meet an angry God ; and if the thoughts of death and judgment darted into my mind, I strove to forget them immediately."

The voice of mercy calling in vain, was succeeded by the rod of affliction, and he was brought down to the gates of the grave. His soul being greatly alarmed, he was led to cry unto the Lord in his trouble, though he knew not as yet how "to come to His seat." The terrors of this day of bodily and mental anguish are depicted by his own hand. " A severe fever brought me near the grave ; my life was despaired of; death stared me in the face; the horrors of a guilty conscience greatly alarmed me, knowing that I was unprepared to die. Greatly distressed, I wept much, and used broken fragments of church prayers, particularly those for the sick. I often repeated these words with much sincerity, — ' Spare me a little, that T may recover

REV. HODUSON CASSON. 15

strength before I go hence to be no more seen.' If I had died then, I should doubtless have been lost. I knew nothing of the way for poor sinners to be saved ; nor had I any about me that cared for my soul, — or if they did care, they were as ignorant as myself." But there was an interposing arm stretched out to deliver him from destruction. The piercing cry, "Spare me a little," drawn from his inmost soul, entered the ear of Jehovah; and a voice, as yet unknown to him, said, " I have seen his ways, and will heal him : I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him." The hand that smote him was stretched out to save, —

" The fever own'd his touch, and fled ;" and the gracious fruits of the afflictive visitation for a while appeared in a partial reformation of life. He acknowledged the kind hand of God in restoring him, and resolved to perform the vow which he had made in the day of his distress. He says, — " I became more serious and thoughtful ; I felt a strong desire to be good; I read religious books; I attended the church, frequently twice a day on the Sabbath, and crept into the Methodist chapel at night. In a great measure I forsook my former companions in sin, yet not fully. After all my resolutions, I was carried captive by my besetting sins, such as card-playing, dancing, balls, &c. ; but still I was unhappy. I remember the last public amusement of this kind that I attended: I

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16 MEMOIRS OF TUB

went ten miles to it, and though I strove to be cheerful, yet my mind was much pained."

Thus did Mr. Casson wander abroad, " seeking rest and finding none." Had there been " a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand," to point him to the source of true happiness,

" And lend his youth a sacred clue, To find the Crucified,"

he might, in all probability, have much earlier

found the way of peace. But whilst the Spirit

cried "Come," there was no correspondent response

of the bride, re-echoing the invitation; and he

seems to have been in a great measure thrown

upon his own resources, having none to help him.

A stranger to the scriptural plan of salvation, he

sought to make atonement for his past sins, by

reading prayers and attending Divine ordinances.

He says, " I was like one groping for the wall in

the dark ; I felt the need of something, but I did

not know what. At that time the Methodists in

Workington had prayer-meetings in different parts

of the town, after evening service. I wished much

to attend, but had not courage to go, without being

asked. I very frequently looked for an invitation

from the prayer-leaders, and remember asking one

of them, 'Have you a prayer-meeting to-night, in

your house?' He replied 'Yes;' but did not say,

' Come.' I was disappointed ; but soon after I

summoned courage to go to one. I was surprised

RET. HODGSON CASSON. 17

at their praying one after another, and wondered where they got their prayers. I thought that they must be assisted by books; and as I liked the meeting very much, I began to look out for a prayer-book that contained prayers similar to what the Methodists used, but could never meet with one exactly. However, I met with one with prayers something similar, and made it my companion for several weeks, being not a little proud of it."

About this time, he went to visit a pious uncle, who was a member of the Calvinist church ; and as a long conversation had been kept up on the subject of religion, it was proposed that they should unite together in prayer before they parted. This was a duty for which Hodgson was not then prepared. His friends asked him to pray, but he refused ; they pressed their request, and were not willing to take a denial: and now, remembering his prayer-book in his pocket, he consented to try, if they would kneel down. He then turned his back towards them, and read distinctly one of his prayers, concluding with the Lord's Prayer, during the repeating of which, he seized the convenient opportunity of slipping his prayer-book back into its place. "When we arose from our knees,'' he says, " they were bathed in tears of gratitude, on account of the change which they believed was wrought in me. When we parted, I felt thankful that I had made such an honourable retreat, but I

b 3 resolved to go no more until I could pray without a book. I now became more serious than ever ; I often went to hear the Methodists, and prayed in private with my little book, and concluded that I was mending very fast." Under these feelings he went one evening to the chapel. The preacher was the late Rev. Benjamin Gregory, a man mighty in the Scriptures; and though on some occasions pressed down by a susceptible, nervous temperament, yet when perfectly unshackled, like a Boanerges, his appeals to the consciences of his hearers were vehement and impassioned, causing them almost irresistibly to quail before the force of truth. The subject was well calculated to make a powerful impression. " If the righteous scarcely be saved) where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" The word pierced his heart; the arrows of the Almighty stuck fast within him ; and he felt the anguish of a wounded spirit. Tears flowed plentifully down his cheeks ; and wherever he was, or in whatever work he engaged, still his heart was drawn out in such fervent aspirations, as the following: — "Lord bless me; teach me! Pardon my sins ! Save my soul ; and bring me to heaven ! " Deep sincerity, and ardent desire were the distinguishing features of his soul, whilst he sought the blessing of forgiveness. He says, "According to the light I had, I believe I was as sincere as an angel, though I did not then perceive the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ my Lord ; but Divine light gradually shined into my mind. The Lord discovered to me my righteousness to be but as filthy rags in his sight. I saw myself a guilty, hell-deserving sinner, but believed that Christ could save me." At this juncture, he received very seasonably an invitation to a Methodist class-meeting, and gladly embraced it. " Burdened with a load of sin," he went, and wrestled with God for pardon. The members of the class rejoiced over him as a true penitent, and poured out their fervent intercessions with his, that he might obtain the blessing of forgiveness. " I was directed," he says, "to behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world," and, praised be God, he gave me power to believe in the name of his Son ; and then my burden was all taken away, — I felt that my sins were fox-given, — that I was a new creature in Christ Jesus. The love of God was shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost ; and I felt that I was a child of God, and could call him, Abba, Father. Hallelujah to the Lamb!" This important crisis in his history may be dated from the latter end of 1809, or the early part of 1810. He was then in the twenty-first year of his age, in the bloom of youth and vigour, ready with a free and glad heart, to consecrate all the energies of body and soul to the service and glory of Him who had called him out of darkness into marvellous light.

Chapter II. His Call To Preach. 1815, Ayr

"The love of Christ doth me constrain To seek the wandering souls of men ; With cries, entreaties, tears, to save, To snatch them from the gaping grave."

J. Wesley.

We have now to contemplate Mr. Casson under a new aspect. Having been cast into the mould of the Gospel, he came out transformed in all the powers of his soul, bearing the lively impression of that righteousness and true holiness, which it is the peculiar province of the renewing power of Divine grace to communicate. The change was too striking to escape the observation of his former comrades in sin ; to them it would be a most inexplicable enigma; and we cannot suppose that they would tamely sit down under the desertion of their leader, without using some efforts to divert him from the strange path upon which he had entered. But the same determined inflexibility of purpose, which had been one of his prominent features in his unconverted state, was now laid hold of by the omnipotent power of the Holy

Spirit, and so transferred to the new man, as to form one of the most striking and distinguishing traits of his character, during the forty years of his future pilgrimage. It was not in the power of sophistry, however specious, successfully to entice, nor of opposition the most formidable, forcibly to drive him back into the paths which he had abandoned. He presented a bold and determined front to all opposers, and stood like a rock, unshaken in the midst of storms.

There is nothing like Christianity for developing a man's real character ; and for bringing out into full play those innate powers and faculties of the soul, which might otherwise have remained dormant, or, what is worse, have been prostituted to the most injurious and mischievous purposes. And in some particular cases, it is astonishing how soon the change effected by the renewing influence of grace begins to exhibit itself. Some men cannot be hid: whether in the service of Diabolus or Shaddai, they become prominent, marked men. They must be doing something. The very same chapter (Acts ix.) that unfolds to us the furious career of the persecuting Saul of Tarsus, after presenting unto us his extraordinary conversion, acquaints us that " straightway he preached Christ in the synagogue, that he is the Son of God." So it was with Hodgson Casson.

One of the immediate results of his conversion, was an ardent desire to promote the salvation of his fellow-men. He saw himself surrounded by multitudes of perishing sinners, and remembering his own former dark and wretched condition, his bowels of pity and compassion yearned over them. He went from house to house, to tell the people what the Lord had done for his soul, and earnestly exhorted them to seek for a similar change. His naturally heroic spirit burst forth into action; and he who had been a front rank man in the army of Satan, having come over into the ranks of Emmanuel, was prepared to wield the sword of the Spirit, and to lay hold of every opportunity of damaging the interests of that cause, in which he had once been so heartily engaged. Believing that he was called of God to preach the Gospel, he obeyed, and was received on trial as a Local Preacher. He was instant in season and out of season, — not confining himself to places appropriated to Divine worship, but holding forth the word of life in the highways and public markets, or any spot to which he could draw a listening multitude: and God graciously assisted him, and so blessed the word, as to demonstrate the wisdom of His appointment in choosing " the foolish things of the world " — men esteemed rude and illiterate — " to confound the wise, and the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.'' His bold, zealous, faithful preaching, caused a great excitement ; but the constraining love of Jesus was the fuel •which continually fed that flame which, " as a burning fire shut up in his bones," was continually struggling to find vent. In the meantime the spirit of persecution was roused; and, one evening in particular, his life was in imminent peril. Returning from Maryport, where he had been preaching, he was met by a company of five or six men. They at first allowed him to pass quietly along; but immediately turning round, commenced a murderous attack upon him, beating him most furiously upon the head with their clubs, till they concluded they had despatched him. His friends afterwards learned that his assailants were a party of men, who were returning from mass, to Muryport, and who probably had been incensed by some public testimony which he had borne against their delusions. His head was severely cut, and to this early suffering for Christ's sake may be attributed the peculiar protuberance it ever after presented ; and it is not at all improbable but that this night's catastrophe laid the foundation of those fits to which he was subject, through the principal part of his ministry.