Wise to win souls, a memoir of the rev. Z. Job

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Preface

In writing this book, my wish has been mainly, that the lesson of another holy life might be learned beyond the circle of those who were privileged to mark its progress and idf close. But another thought has had its influence. Mr. Job was not what is popularly called one of our great men. He never travelled in any of the large Circuits of Methodism: his face was not familiar to the crowded congregations gathered together at anniversary festivals, nor was he among those whom other Churches delight to honour. His lot was cast in lowly vales and quiet places, and there his light shone with a steady and pure lustre.

No Methodist, as it seems to me, can study the character and labours of Mr. Job, regarding him as not alone, but as one of a class, without new gratitude that the Church to which he belongs, is the instrument of raising w^ «o&!cl

VI PREFACE.

men, and of blessing with their earnest and useful ministry the small towns and scattered hamlets of his country's rural districts ; nor without a new prayer that the Great Husbandman may prepare and send forth into His wide fields, whether craving tillage, or white unto the harvest, many more such labourers as Mr. Job.

S. S. F.

GUNNERSBURY HOUSE,

Contents

Cfcapte i. , A0 *

Chapter il

YEAR8 of Apprenticeship 15

Chapter I. Childhood

"Time it a passing opportunity for working out, under God's blessing, an eternal issue for a living soul." — Bishop Wilbebpokce.

There is a saying handed down to us by our fathers, " A young saint makes an old devil." Strong words these ; words to which our fastidious age might object as too plain and rough for speech; but which are open to this truer objection — they are as false in feeling as they are bold in utterance; they refer to what seems, not to what is. One who begins life by aping piety, — a young hypocrite, — is likely enough to become, in old age, a base as well as a hardened sinner; the meanest and most miserable of the wicked. But between a real work of grace in a little child's heart, leading him to "love the Lord Jesus Christ and obey his parents," and that work developed in the vigour of manly devotion and service, there is as close a relation as between the fair buds of Spring and the ripe clusters of Autumn fruit. It is natural that those buds should be followed by that fruit. It is in accordance with a spiritual law

B

2 CHAFTEK 1.

that the faith, and hope, and lore of a little child should be found, after years of nourishment and of exercise, still growing in strength, and beauty, and productiveness. In both cases, early promise may be broken ; still the rule remains the same. God's blessing rests on baptismal consecration, on a mother's careful training, on the church's prayers and efforts, on the young heart's own first appeal to Him who said, " Suffer the little children to come unto Me." And the experience of many ages proves that they who in old age "bring forth fruit/' and are " fat and flourishing," are, for the most part, they who were early "planted in the house of the Lord."

Yet, in spite of Scripture and experience, the world still threatens early piety with premature decay, and the father of lies still echoes the world's proverb : so that many first desires after God are checked by the fear of failure; and many a deceived youth puts off attending to his chief good till the time shall arrive when, as he is told, maturity shall give a pledge for stability.

In Mr, Job's case early piety was followed by a life of rare goodness. There was a painful interval in which he suffered spiritual loss; but from the moment of his recovery, at the age of sixteen, it may be said that he walked closely with God. His example may well encourage any young inquirers who are standing in doubt at the entrance of the path of life.

Zephaniah Job was born at St. Austle on the 23rd of November, 1816, and there he resided

CHILDHOOD. O

during his infancy. When he was five years old, his parents changed their residence, in consequence of the death of a relative whose house and property became theirs.* They removed to Polperro, a small fishing town oh the eastern coast of Cornwall, of picturesque aspect, its houses being planted on the slopes of two hills facing each other, and divided by a stream flowing through the valley between them. Here the little son of Mr. and Mrs. Job became familiar with the sea and its perils ; and on more than one occasion a pressing, present danger was followed by an earnest desire to escape future and final destruction. Once he fell from the quay : once, when bathing on the Sabbath day, he was almost drowned ; and again, going out, with others, in a fishing-boat, a fog, slight at first, became so dense, that the party lost sight of land. Whatever his companions may have thought, the child feared that he should never reach home again ; and he instantly resolved that, if spared, he would begin to serve God.

From that time convictions of sin and of danger followed him. He says, "When I was very young, the Lord strove with me ; but I knew not that they were the strivings of the Spirit. Sometimes, when in bed, I feared lest Satan should come

* This relative was an uncle, after whom Mr. Job was named. He was a banker, and agent to Sir H. Trelawney. He left a comfortable provision for his relations; but, from various causes, the property dwindled almost to nothing : so that when Mr. Job came of age, his share was of small value. He was the only child of his father's second wife. The first wife left a family of two sons and three daughters.

B 2 and carry me away. Then I felt a determination that I would do better. Many times I wished for a companion, that we might serve God together ; but I feared to open my mind to my companions, lest they should laugh at me."

Early in the year 1828 the neighbourhood of Polperro was visited by a remarkable revival of religion, and among its earliest fruits were Mrs. Job and her young s*on. The latter joined a class of boys and youths who, at this time, were brought to religious decision. His piety seems to have been of the right kind. He felt himself to be a sinner; he sought and found pardoning mercy; and he aimed at obtaining growing holiness of heart. A few extracts from his diary, — the diary, be it remembered, of a child twelve years of age,— will be read with interest.

"Feb. 19th, 1829.— I rely on God for all that I want, and believe He will give me all things through His Son. In the evening, on hearing that we ought to do all things in reference to eternity, I was greatly stirred up.

' ' 22nd. — In the afternoon I and my companion went to a neighbouring village to hear the Rev. Mr. Robinson. While we were going and speaking together, my soul was drawn out after God; and more when we were coming home.

"March 2nd. — I was much in the spirit of prayer and praise. In the evening I was greatly strengthened.

"7th. — While I was reading the Life of the

Rev. John Fletcher, I felt my soul very much strengthened.

"18th. — Much tempted to give up my confidence; but, glory be to God, I still hold it on. In the evening I went to the prayer-meeting. I felt the presence of God, and the obligations under which I am to Him. I was meditating thus: I profess to be a Christian, a follower of Christ. I acknowledge God to be my Father; Jesus Christ to be my Saviour from all sin; the Holy Ghost to be my Guide : and what a thing it would be if I were to slight my Father, my Saviour, and my Guide !

"20th. — In the evening read of the death of Mr. Fletcher. Felt a deep solemnity resting on me. At the prayer-meeting felt

* The o'erwhelming power of saving grace.'

"April 1st.— At a prayer-meeting I was much affected by one mentioning in his prayer, that 'sometimes we are on the mountain-top, viewing the good land, and at other times we descend into the valley, amid the brambles and thorns/ I felt the truth of these words. Sometimes I feel as it were on the top of Pisgah; but at other times very heavy through temptation and my own unwatchfulness. I want to live nearer to God, and to bring more glory to His name.

"18th. — I was very much in fear of turning back, when I heard something concerning some of my companions.

" May 3rd. — I have a clear evidence that God

O CHAPTER 1.

hath pardoned all my sins; and I feel that, in some measure, I grow in grace. God does increase my love to Him and my desires after good things.

" 12th. — As I was going on an errand for my mother, this thought darted into my mind, — that, as the three-halfpence I held in my hand would make more noise than a sovereign, so would a person that knows very little talk more than a wise man.

"14th. — The mountebanks were in town, so that there were only four boys at our meeting.

" 17th. — Mr. W. Hobbs met our class. In the forenoon I went to chapel very heavy; but the Lord dispersed the cloud, and the Sun of Righteousness shed forth His enlivening beams upon me. The preacher was the Rev. Mr. Davies. His text was John xvi. 32. In the afternoon I was at school. Mr. Hill preached in the evening on, ' It is time to seek the Lord/ After preaching I went up to the hill, sat down, and read part of the ' Christian's Pattern/ When I was coming over the hill to go home, I heard one praying very earnestly ; and, being afraid, (though I know not for what,) I ran down the hill, and told John Giles of it. We then went up, and found it was our Classleader's brother, who has lately joined us.

" 18th. — In the evening I went up the hill, and, kneeling in the place where the person was the evening before, I lifted my heart to God, and was blessed.

"20th. — Before I came down stairs, I was meditating on the mercy of God. How free He is to bestow on us what we want! He is always willing, yea, He has invited us to come. O, how merciful is our Saviour ! May I still embrace His mercy !"

About this time young Job attended a Missionary Meeting. Himself newly awakened to a sense of his own need, and of the fulness of Christ's grace, his heart yearned over a world sleeping unto death. His recollections of the various speeches occupy six pages of his journal, and give evidence of close attention and a good memory. They also convey a lively idea of the kind of speaking that suits young hearers. An extract may not be out of place.

"At the end of Mr. Lear's speech, was the following anecdote : ' As I was leaving the county of Kent, in a stage-coach, a lady who had attended some Missionary Meetings where I had been, was conversing of the misery of the Heathen, and the need of sending them aid. A gentleman who sat near me, said, 'What need have you to make this ado about the Heathen? Let them alone. Now they are quiet, inoffensive, and safe; but send them Christianity, and you will disturb them.' I was quite confounded by so sudden an attack. After a pause, I answered, ' Sir, according to your statement, Paganism is better than Christianity, and Pagans ought to send Missionaries to us to convert us from Christianity, rather than we send Missionaries to them to convert them from Paganism. Now, change about: give them our Christianity, with all its results, moral and political ; and let them give us their Paganism, with all its murder and superstition. Would you accept the change?' The gentleman smiled, and, after a short pause, said, s Why, no/ ' Then/ said I, s you must allow Christianity to be far superior to Paganism, and that changing them from darkness to light is a blessed work/ He gave up the point/"

"Juno 24th. — At the prayer-meeting I was much animated and refreshed by these words : —

' Who did for every sinner die, Hath surely died for me/

Yes, Ho hath died for me; hath died to cleanse mo from all unrighteousness.

" July 3rd. — I sec that our prayer-meetings are going down ; for it is always late when the boys come, if they come at all ; and when they do come, they are very few.

"22nd. — I want to be more earnest after the blessings of the Gospel.

• I know my fault.

But such a potent, headstrong fault it is, That it but mocks reproof.'

"24th. — I fear that some of my companions are turning from God. They have given up attending the Thursday and Friday prayer-meetings, and the Tuesday band-meeting.

"Aug. 11th. — I enjoy peace of mind. Blessed be God, I experience that there is ' no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus/ The Spirit of God bears witness with my spirit that I am a child of God.

CHILDHOOD.

" 24th. — I feel that without God's assistance I am nothing. I need Him every moment to strengthen me. I am very weak. I need to be always lifting my heart to God. If I neglect prayer, how soon do I become lukewarm and careless about the things of God ! I want to be kept from pride and vanity. What have I whereof to glory ? Nothing of my own. God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of Christ. I want to have my passions conquered. May my will be brought into subjection to God !

' O be my will so swallow'd up in Thine, That I may do Thy will in doing mine !

Up to this time, the child from whose journal we have been giving extracts, appears to have been making steady progress in the Christian way. Mr. Hocken, of St. Germans, a Local Preacher, and a highly esteemed friend of Mr. Job's, speaks of those early days in these terms : " We went to the same day-school, and became very friendly. He was of a sweet spirit, very pious and zealous ; conspicuous among the boys who met together for prayer in various places, as a leader in the prayer-meeting; and he had a delightful gift in piayer .» There is evidence throughout the journal of thoughtfulness beyond his years ; and here and there are indications of the habits of order, of the painstaking diligence, of the power to concentrate and to condense, for which Mr. Job was remarkable in later years. Now, he lays down a plan for the occupation of each hour of the day ; now, he gives a list of all the means of grace to which he resorts each evening with his young companions. He scarcely ever hears a sermon without noting its principal divisions, or, at least, laying up in store some of its more striking thoughts. Page after page of copious detail, slowly traced by a child's unready fingers, speak of his earnest pursuit after heavenly knowledge. But alas ! about this time there is a sad change. The good work within his heart is checked, and by degrees his gracious desires die out.

It is but seldom that one is able to follow, step by step, the course of religious declension. Persons mostly grow careless, and neglect to note the inward change ; or, conscious of that change, they are unwilling to confess it to themselves, or to others. Young Job did not cease to keep his journal, though he felt his love to God growing cold ; and we learn that the lukewarmness of some of his companions first discouraged him ; that, conscious of less power of faith and warmth of feeling, he made fitful efforts to recover lost ground ; that temptations were plied more vigorously as he became less able to resist them ; that, after a time, he neglected the public means of grace ; then pursued lawful pleasures too eagerly and to the waste of precious time ; and then tried to make up for lost spiritual joy by the vain and exciting diversions of a foolish world. All this is told with a candour and simplicity which give credit to his earlier and more favourable statements, and which also hint a hope, even in this decay of spiritual life, of a future reviving.

When referring to this sad time, in after years, Mr. Job has often remarked, " Some say that backsliding commences at the closet-door. Mine began within the closet. I was less in earnest when there."

A few extracts from his journal of this date will show more plainly the manner of his fall : —

"August 25th. — How backward I am to prayer, to reading God's word, yea, to every good thing ! May the Lord deliver me from my evil nature !

" Sept. 7th. — My prayer is that I may be able to conquer myself: yet how little do I strive for it ! I pray for more faith : but faith is increased by using. How little do I exercise it !

" 18th. — I feel I do not sufficiently deny myself. I give way to pride and anger.

" Nov. 7th. — The more I pray the more comfortable I am. This is an encouragement to pray ; yet how often do I neglect it !

" 8th. — In the morning, through a mistake, I was not at class.

" 30th. — We had no band-meeting.

" Jan. 2nd, 1830. — Met in Mr. Rendle's class, and found it to be a comfortable season.

" 4th. — I feel I have this long time been very backward in the ways of religion ; but I feel determined to live nearer to God, and to pray more.

"6th. — Blessed be God, I do pray more, and enjoy more.

" 12th. — We expected to have a band-meeting, but the boys did not meet.

" 26th. — Had our band-meeting once more, and found it to be a profitable season.

" 30th. — Did not go to class.

" Feb. 1st. — Am I now so near heaven as I was twelve months ago? Do I love God as much? On examination I feel I am not. I do not use so much prayer as I did then. I feel I have, this long time, been very backward in God's ways. How many determinations have I made ! but they have been as the morning cloud and the early dew. They soon pass away. O may I live nearer to God!

" 6th. — Went to class. I am ashamed of my backwardness.

" 18th. — Blessed be God, I feel more comfort in religion than I did some time ago. I can say, € My foot had well-nigh slipped/ But, blessed be God, I did not utterly fall.

" 20th. — Went to class. I purpose to read four chapters in the Bible every day : two in the Old, and two in the New, Testament.

" May. — I have been very backward in the ways of God, this long time. Sometimes I have been a little stirred up ; and at other times I have quite given up all. At this time I have a Utile desire to live to God. I hope the Lord will increase it, and that I may put my desire into practice. I want a witness that my sins are pardoned. Ah ! how I am fallen from what I was fifteen months ago !"

An interval of several months occurs after this entry. Then we find him writing as follows : — "Dec. 19th. — In the forenoon, before preaching, took a walk, and returned when it was too late to go to preaching. In the afternoon remained at home. In the evening heard a young man named Yerron ; but I was not thinking much of the sermon.

" 21st. — Was at Mrs. L/s nearly all day, practising on the flute. Began to read Mr. Wesley's * Logic f the second time.

" 22nd. — In the forenoon at Mrs. L/s. Evening at R. H/s. Learned a tune.

"25th. — Christmas Day. Forenoon at home. Afternoon had a walk in the Warren. In the evening I heard Mr. Dunn preach an excellent sermon.

"27th. — Forenoon played at marbles, set off squibs, &c, with Richard Perry. In the evening played at dominoes with M., and got 2\d. y but gave back \\d.

"28th. — Afternoon and evening played at dominoes with Richard Perry and W. Barrett. Got 3d.

" 29th. — Forenoon at Mrs. L/s. Afternoon and evening played at dominoes with R. P. and W. B. Got 6d.

" 30th. — B. came to our house about ten o'clock. We played all the forenoon. B. owes me Is. 2d. In the afternoon at Mrs. L/s. Read e Elegant Extracts/ Evening heard Mr. Dunn preach."

So closes the child's journal.

About a year before this, his father died, not without hope, as in his last hours he gave signs of

repentance toward God, and faith in the Lord

Jesus Christ." His mother, anxious for her only child's advancement in life, resolved to part from him ; and, on the 26th of February, 1831, at the age of fourteen, he was bound apprentice to Mr. J. Lovering, grocer, residing in the neighbouring town of St. Austle. By this arrangement the youth exchanged the quiet fishing-place for the busy market-town, and the lonely fireside of a widowed mother for the stir and excitement of a large family circle, where, among his daily associates, were several young people of his own age.

Chapter II. Years Of Apprenticeship

" He that holds himself in reverence and due esteem, both for the dignity of God's image upon him, and for the price of his

redemption, accounts himself both a fit person to do the

noblest and godliest deeds, and much better worth than to deject and defile with such a debasement and such a pollution as sin is, himself so highly ransomed and ennobled to a new friendship and filial relation with God. Nor can he fear so much the offence and reproach of others as he dreads and would blush at the reflection of his own severe and modest eye upon himself, if it should ever see him doing or imagining that which is sinful, though in the deepest secrecy." — Milton.

It might seem a pointless common-place to say that a Christian, in contemplating any change, great or small, either for himself or those depending on him, ought to think of the future, and not to peril the safety of an undying soul for the sake of the passing and perishing interests of time. Why, common sense alone teaches us that, might be the ready answer. Yet, in spite of their common sense, and of their Christianity, how many souls are lost to the church on earth, and to their own happiness for ever, by this worst of follies ! A young girl comes to her Class-leader, and tells her that she is about to leave her present employer, having made an engagement with a new mistress. She is asked, "Are you to be allowed attendance on God's house on Sundays, and have you permission to meet in class?" She does not know : she takes that for granted. Yet she has not forgotten to inquire what wages she is to receive, or how many holidays will be given. Another forms a new friendship, and expects shortly to be married. "Is the young man a decided Christian ?" "Why, no, not that; but very steady, and better than many professors." And the so-called disciple of Christ, who says she has given her whole heart to the Saviour, goes to reside in a family where there is no family prayer, no help on the way to heaven ; or, worse, makes a home for herself to which He who blessed the marriage at Cana is not an invited guest. No wonder that her name drops out of church records, and that she is soon found walking with her face to the City of Destruction, and her back to the Mount Zion.

It is not long since a man of middle age, who had been connected with Methodism for many years, an office-bearer too, left the smoke and hurry of London, and chose a pretty country residence for himself and his family. After some weeks had elapsed, the Ministers of the Circuit to which he went called upon him, to inquire how it was that they had not seen him at either of the chapels. To their surprise they learned that, finding himself beyond easy reach of a Methodist chapel, he had chosen to take his family with him to a church hard by, where no faithful Gospel is preached, no certain sound of warning given. Thus, to keep a house that pleased him, and to save a walk that might tire him, he dispensed with wholesome spiritual food for himself and his dependents. Who does not fear that this man may live to rue the day when he risked so much to gain so little?

Dr. Chalmers, in the maturity of his Christian life, was reminded, during a discussion on pluralities in the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, of a pamphlet written in his youth, containing the assertion that "after the satisfactory discharge of his parish duties, a Minister may enjoy five days in the week of uninterrupted leisure for the prosecution of any science in which his taste may dispose him to engage." Dr. Chalmers wouud up a speech in which he fully and frankly owned his error, with the following memorable words : —

"I was at that time, Sir, more devoted to mathematics than to the literature of my profession ; and feeling grieved and indignant at what I conceived an undue reflection on the abilities and education of our Clergy, I came forward with that pamphlet, to rescue them from what I deemed an unmerited reproach, by maintaining that a devoted and exclusive attention to the study of mathematics was not dissonant to the proper habits of a Clergyman. Alas ! Sir, so I thought, in my ignorance and pride. I have now no reserve in saying that the sentiment was wrong, and that, in the utterance of it, I penned what was most outrageously wrong. Strangely blinded that I was ! What, Sir, is the object of mathematical science ? Magnitude, and the proportions of magnitude.

But then, Sir, I had forgotten two magnitudes. I thought not of the littleness of time ! I recklessly thought not of the greatness of eternity !"*

O that these "two magnitudes " were ever in the thoughts of professing Christians ! We have our Master's strict command, coupled with His most gracious promise, " Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

For the first two years of young Job's apprentice life he went on his way as though he had never heard this saying of His Saviour : and there was none at hand to urge him to return to Christ and His church. It is true that the family with whom he resided required of their apprentices and servants regular attendance at some place of religious worship on Sundays: but they were not members of his mother's church; and they did not know the secret of his soul's backsliding. He stood alone in the midst of company.

Though he had lost spiritual peace and power, yet the restraining grace of God kept him from a deeper fall. His heart-rebellion never broke out into open and shameless sin. He was diligent in business, so that his master valued his services ; and he was equally diligent in redeeming time for the purposes of self-improvement. Lookers-on called him a steady, moral, conscientious youth. One circumstance that occurred about this time gives striking proof of a reflective mind and a firm will. He had acquired a taste for novel-reading, and

* "Memoirs of Dr. Chalmers," vol. iii., p. 76.

volume after volume was eagerly devoured. Suddenly he became aware that this class of books unfitted him for the mental labour necessary to the successful study of works of a higher class; he found that while his feelings and passions were excited, his intellect was impaired; and, with prompt decision, he burned the novels he possessed, resolving 1 to give up such reading at once and for ever. A rare instance this of the abandonment of a favourite pursuit, not so much for the kingdom of heaven's sake, as for the sake of mental progress.