The hero of Rufford : a true tale

Preface

N course of conversation, in the February of 1895, Mr. Thomas Bridge of "Florida," Burscough, related to me some racy incidents in which his father was concerned. From the nature of these I could see at a glance that the patriarch, who died in 1855 in the eighty-second year of his age, was no ordinary character. I asked my friend if he had any written records of his father's life. He produced a MS. written in 1849 by one of his brothers, the late Mr. Robert Bridge of Bufford, carrying the narrative down to 181. '3, and presenting the facts as they came from the father's lips. I found the matter well worthy of being edited for publication, and requested Mr. Thomas Bridge to supplement it with what he could recollect. This accordingly he did, bringing the history down to the period of his father's death. Traditions of Edward Bridge of Bufford, who was widely known and highly esteemed for his many noble qualities, came to me from other reliable sources. I have been aided by documents sent to me by Mr. Bobert Moss of Kirkintilloch, one of his grandsons.

6 PREFACE

I have also had interesting communications from Miss Ingham, who is the author of well written and wholesome books under the signature of " Sarson." She is the grand-daughter of the Eev. John Pickavant, whose name is honourably associated with that of Mr. Edward Bridge in the early history of Methodism in Rufford.

The result of my gleanings is embodied in the present volume. It records many remarkable things, but I can assure the reader that, so far as I know, there is no fiction about it, but literal truth, and this, I hope, without distortion. Truth is often stranger than fiction, and is certainly more profitable.

Passages having only oblique reference to the thread of the narrative will occasionally be met with in the text, which might, perhaps, with greater literary propriety, have been placed as notes. Their position in the text, however, is more convenient, and will also be found, I think, not less pleasing to the reader. Excursions conduce to health and to sprightliness.

I am indebted to the taste, skill, and kindness of E. McAllester, Esq., of Ormskirk, for the pictorial illustrations.

It is to be regretted that no portrait appears to exist of Edward Bridge: that of the Rev. John Pickavant is from an original oil painting by "W Valentine, in the possession of Mrs. Ingham, Mr. Pickavant's daughter.

Contents

CHAPTER I l'.VOE

Situation — Model Village — Population — Parish Church- Methodist Churches— Rufford Hall— Old Rufford Hall— The Heskeths— The Clergy— Moral Condition of the People — Wedey's Visit — The Bridge Family — Our Hero — Heredity 17

Chapter II The Axuel Vision

The Mother's Help — The Runaway — Maternal Solicitude — Return Home — Chastisement — Moral for Mothers — Meditation upon the Discipline — The Angel in the Tree — What was it? — Change of Heart — Why not? — Doctrine of the Spiritual Senses j(;

CHAPTER 111

SETTLEMENT IX LIEE

Religious Declension— Crises in Life — Interview with

the Parish Priest— (!ood Resolutions— Solemn \'uw

CONTENTS

— Bargaining with God — Prospecting for a Sweetheart — Ineligible Girls — Jane Alty — Courtship and Marriage 34

Chapter IV The Voice Op The Vow

Settlement upon a Farm— Worldly Cares— The Vow in Abeyance — Itinerating after Clergymen — Voice of the Vow — Voice of the Holy Spirit — The Joys of Salvation — Sweet Counsel 43

Chapter V Fall From Grace

The Parish Constable — Failure to confess Christ — Evil Associates — Merry in Drink — Prayer Neglected — Remorse — Public-house — Wicked Mimic served out — Culprit set on the Fire — Bully sent Sprawling 48

Chapter VI Wolves In Apostolic Succession

Spiritual Perplexity — Neighbouring Priests — Clergyman from Liverpool — Blind Guides — Yet Successors of the Apostles ! — Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit — Homily for Whit-Sunday — Apostolic Succession of Faith and Holiness — Tertullian Falsified — Cannot be Proved — "Irregular" Baptisms — Biblical Testimony — Extract from D'Aubigne 53

Chapter VII

Mental Distress — Russell's Sermons — Despair — Temptation to Curse the Holy Spirit — Mrs. Worrall of

CONTENTS

PAGE

Belfast — Temptation to commit .Suicide — The " Cood Church Minister" — Forlorn Hope — The Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit— Heb. vi. 4-6— Heb. x. 26-29 68

Chapter VIII

Visit to Lancaster — Methodist Prayer Meeting — Methodist Preaching — Methodist Hymn Book — Interview with the Preacher — Return to Rufford — Heart in Lancaster — Preaching at Holmes — Rev. Joseph Hollinsworth's Sermon — Death Wraith of Peter Pickavant — John Pickavant's Enlightenment — Rev. Benjamin Wood's Sermon— His Proposal to visit Rufford 8u

Chapter IX

The Rev Benjamin Wood at Rufford — Preaching under the Pear Tree — Destiny of the Tree — Bridge's Barn — Rigging and Unrigging- Spirit of Inquiry — Discussion concerning Assurance — Testimony of the Homilies— Testimony of a Xoble Bohemian Martyr — Testimony of Holy Scripture wt

CHAPTER X FORMATION ()K THE SOCIETY olf CHURCH

Ministerial Changes— Appointment of Messrs. Holroyd and Sugden - Soiiety Enrolment — Spiritual Awakening — Simile of the Brazen Serpent — Prayer Meetings -Miss Bruce — Samuel P.ruce's Visit — Work of ((race- Sons of Belial — Farewell Meeting !>!)

io CONTENTS

CHAPTEK XI

CONVERSION

PAGE

Sundry Conversions — John Pickavant's Conversion — Exhorts his Customers — Work of Grace in his Family — Conversion of Mrs. Bridge — Encourages her Husband — He confers with Mr. Holroyd — Rejoices in the Love of God — Institutes Family Worship — Reflections — Conversion of Robert Sutton and Richard Forshaw 109

Chapter XII

Priestly Assumption — " Intruders " — Apostolic Succession — Immediate Call from God — Priestly Intolerance — Libels and Half Truths — Luther to Spenlein — Disestablishment — Abolition of Tithes — Scandals of Patronage — "Pretended Miracles" — "Forgiveness of Sins" — Anglican Absolution — "Pretended Inspiration " — Who is the Schism-Maker % — Justification by Faith — Assurance — Speratus's Hymn 117

Chapter XIII

Church Pulpit Warnings — Ignorance of Scripture Teaching — Effect of the Warnings — The Priest threatens to hear the "False Prophets "—Attitude of Mr. Bridge — His Interview with Mrs. True — The Priest encounters the Preacher — The Priest changes his Lodgings — "Creeping John" — Prejudice 138

CONTENTS n

Chapter XIV Page

Pulpit Ridicule and Abuse — Attack on the "Headquarters " — Sunday School Started — Denounced — • Visited by the Baronet and his Lady — Priestly Inquisition — Methodists at Holmes "Wood — Sunday School Started there — Inquisition Extended — Jane Caunce — Treacherous Libels — Sacrament Refused — The Priest's Lambs — The Miller — Rowdies — Pugilists — Episcopal Rebuke— Mrs. Bridge — Jane Ranter — Sacrament at Holmes — Separation of the Methodists from the Establishment 149

Chapter XV

Mr. Bridge's Dream — Address of Rev. B. Holroyd — Sense of Responsibility — Second Dream — Blessed Meeting — Prayer Meeting Quickened — Overflow Meeting at Henry Pickavant's House — The Flame Spreading — Dull Class Meeting at Liverpool — Tune "Castleton " — Favourite Hymn 1(17

Chapter XVI Catalytic Episode

Strange Performances of a Young Woman — Counsel on the Case — Prayer — She eludes a Strong Man — Her Utterances — Interest Excited — Her (Juilt — Her Dismissal — Fanatical Infection— Mischief Ensuing — Gloating of the Priest — The Publican and his Clients — Persecution — Defections — The True Stand Firm — Spiritual Revival — John Pickavant made a Class Leader — The Priest's Chagrin 177

12 CONTENTS

Chapter XVII Page

Arrival of a Strange Lady — She Visits the Priest's School — Intimacy with the Priest — He Scorns Advice — Marriage — Private Theatricals — Visit of the Lady's Brother — Not Welcome — Conference with Jane Eanter — Mr. Bridge's Nobleness — The Brother-in-Law and the Preachers — Discussion with the Priest Arranged — Goliath Awanting — The Preacher holds the Field — Scandal of the Twins — The Priest before the Justices— Petition for his Expulsion — Hooted out of the Parish — Retribution 187

CHAPTER XVIII JOHN PICKAVANl's CALL TO THE MINISTRY

Earlier History — Call to Preach — Exercises of Mind — Preaches to his Friend Bridge's Class — Accepted as a Local Preacher — Ridiculed by Outsiders — Also from the Parish Church Pulpit — Remarks — Rev. J. S. Hodgson and Robert Sutton — John's Diligence in Study — Evangelistic Excursions — Recommended for the Ministry — Farewell Scenes — Moses Holden's Poem 196

Chapter XIX

Supplies at Luton — Goes to Newfoundland — Marriage — Made Chairman of the District — Good Work — Wisdom in Sympathy — Among the Merrimac Indians — Visits to England — At Manchester with the famous Robert Newton — Returns to Newfoundland — Reception by the Governor, Sir John Harvey — Superintendent at Leeds — Closing Scene — Monument 210

COX TEXTS 13

Chapter XX Pai":k

Early Devotions — Family Worship — The Curate's Exit — Churchwarden — Exhorter — "Bob, snuff the Candle''' — John Wain wright — " He can top John " — Sick Visiting — Teetotallers from Preston — Surly Farmer Thawed — Markets — Prayer Meeting at Peter Williams's — Peter Williams at Croston — Insanity Cured -2 in