Evangelism and the revival work of Rev. G.W. Wilson

Front matter

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IIIH

If* iffl H

Preface

" Not myself, but the truth that in life I have spokeu, Not myself, but the seed that in life I have sown, Shall pass on to ages, — all about me forgotten, Save the truth I have spoken, the things I have done."

— BONAR.

The Pulpit and the Press are among the chief agencies for doing good. The printed sheet may supplement the oral discourse, and the two may be true yoke -fellows in religious service.

The Spoken Word has advantage in the magnetic influence of the Speaker, but the Written Word in a ministry to a greatly increased audience, in calm, and meditative mood.

There are great possibilities in either case.

One may by the aid the Press affords enlarge his influence far beyond his personal contact.

By this means many a tender strain and stirring note, or piercing call, have been prolonged in all their variety of inflections.

Aged, and feeble ones, who never saw or heard the Messenger of God, whose eloquence and pathos moved the mighty throngs, have looked with delighted eye upon the printed ^age, and caught the inspiration of the by-gone day and scene, and

XII PREFACE.

have found in this a ministry of comforting, or of quickening grace, not possible in any other way.

"To speak a word in season to him that is weary," though it may be by the silent language of the pen, may prove both pleasant and helpful ; and at times, be one's only method of approach.

So with this thought in mind we have written, hoping that something in these groupings of person, and service and subjects, might add to the minor agencies for good, and afford a measure of help where Evangelist and Pastor might never come.

"The smallest bark ou life's tumultuous ocean, Will leave a track behind forever more ; . The lightest wave of influence set in motion, Extends and widens to the eternal shore."

J. W. Caldwell.

Godfrey, Madison Count*/, III., Nov. 10, 18S4.

Introduction

INTRODUCTION

The .subject matter of this volume, — Evangelism, — holds a vital relation to the world's salvation, and fills a large place in the Church's agencies.

Prophecy lifts the horoscope, and foretells the earth's redemption, and poetry paints its regenerated glory in more than Eden loveliness.

The weary worker in the presence of towering forms of evil that have struck their roots deep into the debris of the race's depravity, and lifted their frowning heads to the heavens, often cries out, How long, O Lord ! How long !

The evangel of prophecy inspires faith and hope, and by well-directed blows, every baneful growth is hewn down, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field.

The command, "Preach the Gospel to every creature," implies the universal extent of human need, and the sufficiency of the instrumentality for its supply.

The Gospel is the world's panacea, the remedy for all its diseases. It is to dictate civil legislation to prevent and overthrow its wrongs ; it will overcome its intellectual darkness by fostering and

XIV INTRODUCTION-.

diffusing knowledge, and it will assuage its want and woe, by opening the treasures of universal benevolence. The enemies of the Gospel are active in their endeavors to destroy faith in the divinity, and the ultimate success of its heaven-appointed mission. They are proclaiming "Failure !" from press and platform, and are manifesting suspicious haste to give it sepulture among the effete and exploded systems of Paganism. They are already mustering their forces of culture and philosophy to supersede the Gospel of Christ in the world's amelioration and salvation.

A successful method of opposition to this detour of our wily foe is to emblazon on our banners the trophies of our campaign. It will quicken the faith and courage of the Church, and send dismay into the ranks of the adversary.

The moral regeneration of the heart and life of one soul, through the agency of the Gospel, is a proof and prophecy of the competency and certainty of its universal conquest. But instead of one, millions have been marshalled as witnesses of its power to renew and save.

Let the fruits be gathered and garnered in the store-house of the Church's literature, to quicken zeal and inspire courage through all her ranks. Every dictate of wisdom and duty demands the employment of the most efficient agencies and methods in the propagandism of the Gospel.

[NTRODUCTION. XV

No unreasonable conservatism can stand before the intelligent call of an aggressive church for the

"more excellent way." Since the commission was first given by the Head of the Church almost innumerable changes have been introduced in methods and instrumentalities.

In modern evangelism, distinctively so-called, the important point to guard is thai of responsibility.

Responsibility for methods and matter is fundamental in all such forms of aggressive work.

Irresponsibility is lawlessness, is a fin in the reai'.

A carte-bJanclte commission should suggest a spy and an enemy. Let him go forth bearing the sign and seal of the Church, then with letters pat ent from the Court of Heaven he will " make full proof of his ministry" in multitudes of "living epistles." Such we have in Rev. G. W. Wilson, whose abundant and successful labors have been herein gathered and presented by his co-laborer, the author. The character of the work, as to its arrangement, is new and pleasing. The narrative and dictative style is followed in alternate chapters. The themes discussed by the author are, in themselves of vital importance, and are presented in his characteristically facile and pleasing manner, and are so happily fitted to the narrative portions as to make the whole a rare literary Mosaic. Mav all

XVI INTRODUCTION.

who read these pages arise in the strength of Israel's seer and say, "Here am I, send me!"

W. F. Short.

Jacksonville, III., Nov. 19, 1884.

Chapter I. Sketch Of Life

BIRTH. INFLUENCE OF MOTHER. BUSINESS.

f GEORGE W. WILSON was born in New I Ross, Wexford county, Ireland, March 25, 1853. He was the youngest of twelve children. His father was the Commander of a sailing vessel plying between Waterford, Ireland, and Quebec, Canada. He was of the old type of Wesle} r an Methodists. He died at sea, and was buried beneath its waves, when the subject of this sketch was nine years of age. This loss made a deep impression on the child mind, and one that was formulated in vows for a good life at that early day. The children were all trained religiously, and schooled to venerate the Church and conform to its modes of worship from their infancy.

The mother was a most devoted Christian, yet soon, after the birth of George she became subject to a disease that rendered her a confirmed invalid, and incapacitated her for active Church duties. Still her deep piety constantly pervaded the home, and her influence in mould* ing and shaping the religious character of her children was of incalculable value to them, and especially in the case of the youngest born. Thus too, doubtless many a noble worker, grand and successful minister and teacher, and many a pious Mary and careful Martha could bless a devoted mother for sweet words, pure life, and undying love, that in their infantile days made such a lasting and beautiful impress upon them, resting as a divine benediction on their consecrated lives. Many a one may say : —

" She led me first to God: Her words and praj'ers were my young spirits dew,

For when she used to leave

The fireside every eve, I knew it was for prayer that she withdrew.

How oft has the thought

Of my mourned mother brought Peace to my troubled spirit and new power

The tempter to repel !

Mother, thou knowest well That thou hast blest me since my natal hour."

The shock from the sudden and painful loss of the husband and companion of so many years was a very severe one, and although borne with Christian grace and fortitude, was one from which her frail nature never recovered. She gradually sunk under the crushing weight of sorrow and the influence of disease, and on the 13th of January,

1864, she passed beyond the reach of shadows and death into the realms of endless sunshine. Shortly before she died she called the little George to her bedside, and laying her hand upon his head, gave him her parting blessing, and asked him to meet her in heaven. He says : " I promised her I would, and promised from the fulness of my young heart. How I loved my mother ! And how her hallowed life shines out at every step of my pilgrimage in these later years as one of the brightest examples of godliness, patience, and love. Well do I remember at eventide how she would call me to her, place the family Bible on her knee, and, as I sat on my stool at her feet, she would explain to me the wonderful truths of God's word. Thus in my childhood's day the sweet truths of the gospel were poured into my listening ear by the voice of my praying mother. O ye who have godly mothers to hear your tale of sorrow, to press you to her loving bosom, to teach you heavenly truths, and lead your feet up the shining way, heed them, prize them, follow them."

Through the blessing of God in using human instrumentality, very many of the best of men, and most successful workers, have come to their piety and position among religious laborers through the influence of the mother. Many may say :—

"And if I e'er in heaven appear, A mother's holy prayer, A mother's hand and gentle tear, Have led the wanderer there."

Until his mother's death, George was continued in school, and made rapid progress in his studies, but with this sad event there came a change of all the family plans. George was removed and apprenticed to Todd, Brown & Co., dry goods merchants of Dublin, in whose employ was his brother-in-law, in the cloak department of the house. His stay here was brief, however, on account of the death of this brother-in-law, through whose influence he had been employed, and under whose supervision he had been placed. From Dublin he was taken to London and placed under the care of an elder brother, John, who is at this time a traveling preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Cincinnati Conference. For a year he was employed in the book house of Brown & Co., in Paternoster Row. Here he was surrounded with vice in its aggravated and multiplied forms, as seen in the great cities. Yet the admonitions and prayers of godly parents followed him in all his environments of sin. He was not a Christian, but had not forgotten to pray, and when he did any act he knew was in violation of the religious teaching of his pious parents, he could find no rest until he sought and found forgiveness.

He had made very considerable progress in learning the business in which he was employed, and was gaining favor with his employer, and giving promise of complete success in this calling, when his brother found reasons for changing his position, and accepting a situation in Dublin, and fearing to leave one so young, and so exposed, alone in the great city, he took George with him, and found employment for him as salesman in a dry goods store. In the fall of 1866 two of his sisters made up their minds to come to America, and he being desirous to accompany them, they consented, and all embarked at Londonderry for Quebec, which place they reached in September. Thence they proceeded to Buffalo, N. Y., where they met the oldest brother, whose face he had never seen, though he was now thirteen years of age. He says of this happy meeting : —

" It would be hard to imagine my feelings as I found myself in the embrace of a brother whose name had been familiar to me from my childhood, and from whose hand words of greeting had often come to the bedside of my invalid mother, bringing joy, or sorrow, as the contents of these letters were eagerly read. How often I had longed to know him face to face ; and now with tears of gladness we clasped each other with feelings it seems to me akin to those experienced by loved ones in their greetings on the other shore,"

Chapter II

ON A FARM. TEMPERAMENT. TEMPTATIONS.

REVIVAL . CONVERSION . IMPRESSIONS .

IS health at this time was poor, probably the result of long and close confinement in shops and stores, and on this account he sought and found employment on a farm. Of this kind of work he had no knowledge, yet was active and ready, and soon made himself useful in this new field of effort. He was kindly cared for, had light employment, and succeeded in doing enough to procure board and clothing. His health rapidly improved, and with pleasant surroundings he spent here some of the happiest days of his young life. He has and ever will have delightful memories of this country home, and the kindly family with whom he lived.

After spending some time in the employ of Mr. Smith, his brother James buying a farm near Buffalo, he went and lived and labored with him until his fifteenth year. He now began to plan for the future. He was not decided in regard to any course, nor yet seeing clearly as to any chosen line of work, but thinking these matters over as boys will do. He was not wild and reckless, as many boys are in this formative period in life ; attended meetings regularly, was a lover of Sunday-school and the society of Christian people, yet was a sinner violating many of the commands of God, and conscious of being in an unsaved condition. Had not a foundation been laid in childhood, broad and deep, by pious parents and Christian brothers and sisters, in the Sunday-school, in the class-room, and the home, he might easily have drifted off into the sinful course of life so common to thousands around him.

" Happy the home where prayer is heard, And praise is wont to rise ; Where parents love the sacred word, And live but for the skies."

Yet a Divine Providence alone could secure one so endangered by inward tendencies, and so drawn by outward attractions. His temperament was such as to fit him to be a leader, in that he was amusing and mirth-provoking, and he found himself made an important factor in social gatherings in the creation of amusements for the hour. He had no tendency to the glaring vices of the young, and the very instincts of his nature rebelled at the thought of profanity, intemperance, dancing, gaming, and lewdness. Yet there were times when against all the teachings of the home, and school, and Church, and voice of conscience, he went into forbidden paths.

And what sinner has not had the experience that Paul insists is common, viz. : "The good that I would I do not ; but the evil which I would not, that I do."

Once he was induced to spend the Sabbath day in hunting, — a sin so common in some localities, and so indulged in by non-churoh-going classes. For this his conscience was so aroused as to cause him to fear some accident would befall him before he reached his home, and from which he was led to promise solemnly, if his life was spared, he would never be guilty again.

" Manlike is it to fall into sin, Fiendlike, is it to dwell therein, Christlike, is it for sin to grieve, Godlike, is it all sin to leave."

In February, 1868, a Mr. Benstead paid us a visit in a kind of missionary round amongst his neighbors. His heart was warmed with revival influence, and he was going about through the community calling on the people and inviting them to a meeting being held in St. Mark's Methodist Church, Elk Street, Buffalo, N. Y.

" Fond of singing, and hearing the young people sing as they were on their way to church, I consented to go. As we started to church they commenced singing those songs so well calculated to stir the heart of the careless sinner, awakening thoughts of the danger and misery of living in

sin, the wonderful grace of the Saviour, and the delight and joy of the believer. I enjoyed the singing until one sitting by my side said to me, 'Are you a Christian'? I answered, ' no,' and ceased to sing. The power of a word, who can tell ! What trains of thought are started by a simple question, a suggestion, hint, or kindly admonition !

' A nameless man, amid a crowd That thronged the daily mart, Let fall a word of hope and love, Unstudied from the heart : A. whisper on the tumult thrown, A transitory breath.

It raised a brother from the dust, It saved a soul from death.

O, germ! O, fount! word of love! O thought at random cast!

Ye were but little at the first, But mighty at the last!'

" At the meeting I thought the sermon was all for me. Bushing, thronging to the spot, came the memories of former clays, the dying mother's blessing, my unfulfilled promise, and the godly admonitions of pious friends. My heart melted as wax before the fire, under the influence of the preaching, and my mental responses were all in harmony with the fervid appeals of God's minister. I desired to go at once as a seeker of religion, but hesitated until my brothers, James and William, went forward to renew their consecration

26 SKETCH OF LITE OF

vows. Then I waited no longer, but at once presented myself as a penitent by their side. I sought for pardoning mercy, and not in vain, for my struggle soon ended in glad release from bondage, and in the peace that comes with sense of sins forgiven, and I could say : —

' All praise to the Lamb ! accepted I am, Through faith in the Saviour's adorable name; In him I confide, his blood is applied, For me he hath suffered, for me he hath died. Not a doubt doth arise, to darken the skies, Or hide for a moment my Lord from my eyes : In him I am blest, I lean on his breast, And lo! in his wounds I continue to rest.'

" The cross now had a wondrous beauty to me. Duty was a pleasure. I walked in happy communion with God. The Bible seemed a new book to me, and the means of grace were my delight."

The young believer started out on a religious career, amid activities betokening the services that would engage his after years. Now, though so young, only in his sixteenth year, he was found conducting cottage prayer meetings, and doing such religious work as to lead directly on to the larger fields of ministerial and evangelistic effort. At this early day the voice of God seemed to be calling him, and the finger of God pointing to the "fields white to the harvest," and an inward desire to preach the gospel to the perishing multitudes around him, became a passion of his being. He found himself happy in active service, and in a devotion that led to an outspoken fealty to the cause of God, and positive effort to save the souls of men.

Chapter III

AN INCIDENT. ITS INFLUENCE. LOSS OF ENJOY- MENT. NEGLECTS. SICKNESS. PROMISES.

RENEWED ACTIVITIES AND BLESSING. LICENSED

TO PREACH. REVIVALS. MARRIAGE, &C, &C.

N incident occurred sometime after his conversion changing for a time the whole phase of his religious life, and casting an unhappy shade over years that ought to have been the brightest and happiest of his whole career. At the funeral of a young friend and classmate of the Sunday-school, no preacher being present, not a word was said, and silently the body was laid in the grave. A strange feeling came over him. He had never spoken on such an occasion, yet it seemed manifest that some religious person ought to have led in some kind of religious service. Yet no one had the courage to do so, and he, after some considerable mental struggle refrained from saying or doing what the Divine Spirit had evidently impressed on his mind as his duty. He promised silently and solemnly at the conclusion of this scene that on any future, like occasion, he would follow the leading of Providence, and not shirk from a plain, religious duty. Riding home after the burial with a Christian lady, in whom he had great confidence, he disclosed his feelings, telling of the impressions he had experienced, and expecting to find sympathy, and, possibly, helpful counsel. But greatly to his surprise, he had no answer save a smile of disapproval of one assuming such a responsibility, "That smile," he has said, "kept me back three years from my divinelyappointed mission, and well nigh cost me my soul's salvation."

What a word or look can do ! How they can help or hinder ! How " wise," as well as " harmless," shoujd Christians be!

" The deeds we do, the words we say, Into the still air they seem to fleet, We count them, ever past; But they shall last : In the dread judgment day, They and we shall meet!"

The picture on that face was not easily or soon forgotten, and the impression was all unfavorable to the happiness or success of the confiding and childlike mind that had looked to the older and more experienced Christian for instruction and for guidance.

" Whoso shall offend one of these little ones, which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depths of the sea."

Like Jonah, he now " fled from the presence of the Lord," and like him, too, found an environment of danger and trouble wherever he went. He left the community where he had lived , so happily, and where so many had been interested in him, and where religious life dawned so auspiciously upon him, and soon found himself amongst strangers in the great West, at Lawrence, Kansas. " His feet had well nigh slipped," and he was in the ' ' way that was dark and leads to death." He learned by sad experience that the " way of the transgressor is hard," and that neither happiness, nor safety, could be hoped for apart from duty. In business there was failure ; in body, sickness ; in mind, unrest , in heart, coldness and gloom, and over all and in all, a sense of God's displeasure.

" Thou leadest us through darkest pain, Back to the joyous light again."

Laying on a sick bed, seemingly not far from the line, stretching as a dim border between the seen and unseen worlds, there was cause, and time, for sober reflection, for penitential prayer, and for vows for constancy, and faithfulness to his convictions in the future, if God should spare his life. Soon a hopeful change occurred ; health and peace were restored, and the happiness of former days returned again, and once more the soul in obedient trust went forward in religious duty. Here, amid those chastenings, in this time of trial, in this peril hour, at this crucial point in life, he made a more full and complete surrender of all, a most thorough consecration of time and talents to God's service than at any former period, and found in his own experience a richer, deeper measure of Divine love than he had ever known before.

" Love, born in hours of joy and mirth, With mirth and J03 r may perish ; That to which darker hours gave birth Still more and more we cherish. It looks beyond the clouds of time, And through Death's shadowy portal; Made by adversity sublime, By faith and hope immortal."

Leaving Kansas he came East to St. Louis, and here engaged as a traveling agent for a book house. His work led him over the thoroughfares mostly between Burlington, Iowa, and Memphis, Tenn. Stopping often at intermediate points, wherever he had opportunity even in his transient stay, he attended religious services, and shrank not from any Christian duty.

In October, 1873, he was licensed to preach, and from that time forward when occasion favored he publicly ministered to the people as a licentiate of the Church.

During a camp meeting held near O' Fallon he met, for the first time, Miss Jennie E. Thurston, a graduate of Mrs. Blair's Seminary, at Lebanon.

32 8KETCH OF LIFE Of

Between them a mutual attachment sprung up, which resulted in their marriage August 18, 1874.

Mrs. Wilson proved to be an excellent wife, and shared uncomplainingly the hardships of an itinerant life in the various charges to which Mr. W. was appointed, until the Master closed her earthly work in her triumphant death at Donnelson, Ills., January 1, 1882.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were given four children, — May Alice, Carrie Etta, Nellie Lee, and John Walter. The eldest, May Alice, died of membranous croup, at Donnelson, December 1, 1881. Mrs. Wilson and this child rest in College Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, Ills.

Mr. Wilson after his marriage continued his business as agent for the St. Louis book house mentioned in a former page. While traveling in the South in September, 1875, he was invited to hold a series of meetings at Whitehaven, Tenn. Here he spent a week, finding a field of great interest, and seeing a gracious revival of God's work among the people. Thirty-two persons made a profession of religion, many backsliders were reclaimed, and an awakening power pervaded the whole community. At this meeting a "dancing club" came under the gracious influence, many of them becoming religious, forsaking the " pleasures of sin," the amusements of the dance, for the sweet delights, the substantial joys of Christian life. The people, becoming so much interested in the work, and the congregation enlarging from time to time, they arranged for and built a large arbor for the daily gatherings. On Sabbath about six hundred persons were present, and spent a day in delightful religious devotions. Being called to Lebanon, Ills., on account of the death of Mr. Robert Thurston, his father-in-law, a meeting of wonderful interest was abruptly closed.

Rev. Mr. Shimmim, since deceased, labored heartily and usefully in this meeting.

Once in visiting Burlington, Iowa, he was detained for several days on account of a revival which commenced from the preaching of a sermon on Sabbath afternoon, in the Swedish Church of that place. Eleven persons professed religion at the meeting on Sabbath evening, and before the series of meetings closed thirty persons professed conversion. Thus God owned the efforts of His servant, and in these minor meetings gave a prophecy of the enlarged usefulness of succeeding years. At various places providential openings seemed to occur, giving opportunity for the employment of his special gift for revival work.

During the time he had been engaged as a traVeling agent, he had acted in the capacity of a local preacher, yet had always felt convictions concerning evangelistic work and the duty of entering the regular ministry. With these impressions following him in all his journeyings, he had decided that upon an opening being made for his employment, he would give himself wholly to ministerial work. Finding such an opportunity, through the recommendation of the Lebanon Quarterly Conference, he at once embraced it and discontinued his secular business. Having a meeting, however, in progress in Memphis, Tenn., he failed to be present at the session of the Southern Illinois Conference for examination, and was consequently not received as a probationer in the Conference until the following fall. He w r as employed, however, by the presiding elder of the Mt. Vernon District as a supply at Ullin, where he spent two years as pastor, being appointed by the Bishop in the fall of 1876. He served the Church as pastor at Benton one year, Tamaroa two years, Donnelson two years, and Litchfield Circuit one year.

There were gracious revivals of religion in all these charges, and many were brought into the Church under his labors. The past year his work has been wholly of an evangelistic character, and many and extensive revivals of religion have occurred in connexion with this earnest and nearly continuous ministry. The sketches in the succeeding pages will indicate the places where his labor has been bestowed, the character of his

work, and the measure of success with which the Divine blessing has crowned it.

36 SKKTCH OF LIFE OF

Chapter IV

iEEMING it desirable that more than a mere mention should be made in these pages of Mrs. Jennie Wilson, whose early death was more than ordinarily triumphant, and whose life and death aided in giving shape to the evangelistic career of her husband, we have inserted this chapter on : —

" A HAPPY DEATH."

Lift not thou the wailing voice, Weep not, 'tis a Christian dieth. Up where blessed Saints rejoice, Ransomed now the spirit flieth ; High in Heaven's own light she dwelleth, Full the song of triumph swelleth; Freed from earth and earthly failing, Lift for her no voice of wailing.'"

On Christmas day, 1881, there came as God's gift to this Christian family a son, their first son, to gladden their hearts and make the day a doubly memorable one to them. And on this anniversary of the coming of the Saviour, what thoughts this new advent would awaken, what prospects for the future open up, what hopes of manhood's usefulness inspire, and what promises of parental thoughtfulness and eareful oversight call forth !