The sacred hour

Front matter

V

THE

SACRED HOUR;

Preface

This book owes its existence — First, to the burning desire which still glows in my heart to be a "co-worker with God" — to contribute my "mite" toward the "perfecting of the saints" and "edifying of the body of Christ." Secondly, to an ardent hope that through this medium I may also be able to procure the means of subsistence for myself and family, without being obliged to rely upon the usual yearly "church collections" for the support of her "superannuated ministers." I remained at "my post," in the field of battle, with my "harness on," until my strength entirely failed, and I was compelled to retire from the toils and responsibilities of the active ministry. When my voice failed , I resolved to use my pen. I could not bear the thought of standing "all the day idle," in a world where the "laborers are few, and the "fields white unto the harvest,"

PREFACE.

It is almost three years since I have attempted to preach. I am very grateful to God that during my exile from the pulpit I am again permitted to speak to the public and my old friends through the medium of the religious press. In writing and preparing the Sacred Hour I can truly say, " This I have done for Jesus, my Savior" — the building up of his people, and the conversion of sinners. Indifferentism will no doubt exclaim, What ! another new book? 0, what an onerous burden, to be compelled to purchase so many religious books for my family. Stop ! my dear friend, I would speak kindly with you. The purchase of books which benefit the heart, and at the same time improve the mind, is a good investment. We have a superabundance of unprofitable books, works of an infidel, corrupting character — almost daily issued from the press. The only way their evil influence can be neutralized is, by writings of a different tendency. It is a matter of sincere congratulation among the friends of a pure evangelism that a growing

PEE FACE.

appreciation for works of this character is everywhere manifested among pious christians of every denomination.

It affords me great pleasure to insert the following testimonials from well known ministers, " beloved of God:"

From Rev. Michael Marley, P. Elder of Dayton District.

" In these days of cold formalism and worldly-mindedness, of unsanctined talent and misguided effort, — it affords me great pleasure to recommend to the public this tribute to the grace of God, as illustrated in the life and writings of a gifted and devotedly pious young lady. It was my privilege, during a two years' residence in Piqua, and while traveling on the Urbana District for the last four years, to form an acquaintance with all the persons especially refered to in these pages. I have no doubt the faithful delineations of the character and whole-souled devotedness to the cause of Christ of Miss Sallie K. Caldwell, as exhibited in this unpretending little volume, will be the means of stimulating many professors of religion to more entire consecration and self-denying efforts in the cause of Christ. I received her friend "Amelia" into the church at Piqua, and take pleasure in bearing testimony to her deeptoned piety, brilliant example, holy walk, and unblamable conversation before the world.

ie I hope that a large measure of the warm and active faith, with all its glow of feeling and life-giving vigor — deadness to the world and entire conformity to the will of God, that pervades the Sacred Hour may be imparted to all who read it. I would especially recommend its circulation among young converts, and in all our Sabbath Schools. But it will doubtless prove highly beneficial to all classes of readers.

" Dayton, March 7, 1856. M. Marley."

PREFACE.

From Bey. Robert , Spencer, Pastor oe Park-street M. E. Church, Cincinnati.

" Having through the politeness of the author, been permitted to examine the proof-sheets of the Sacred Hour, I take great pleasure in recommending it to all pilgrims, who are traveling to the Celestial city. It will quicken their christian graces, and impart new spiritual strength for the journey. With Miss Sallie K, Caldwell, whose life, character, and triumphant death are here so vividly portrayed, I had the pleasure of an intimate acquaintance — * having had her under my pastoral care. She was all that she is here represented to have been. The picture is truthful, and by no means overwrought. Like a bright luminary, she shone in the church, and her sun at setting broke forth into meridian splendor, May our life and end be like hers. "March 5, 1856, Robert 0. Spencer/'

From Rev. William I . Ellsworth, Pastor of Raper Chapel, Dayton, O.

" Having been permitted to examine most of the proof sheets of your charming little volume, entitled The Sacred Hour, it is with unaffected pleasure that I commend it to the reading public. The history and epistolary correspondence of Miss Caldwell and her friend Amelia, cannot fail to interest, instruct, and benefit all who read them ; and the practical use made of these and other interesting matter introduced by the author in the subsequent chapters of the book is most happy, and will lend an additional charm to the work.

" There is also a deep vein of piety running through the whole book, which will improve the heart of the christian reader, and create fresh aspirations after Bible holiness. W. I. Ellsworth.

"Dayton, March 9, 1856."

The Key that unlocks the Sacred Hour will be found in the Introduction, Chapter first, on the thirty-first and thirty-second pages.

This book does not deal in untried theories

PREFACE.

—it exhibits the reduction of theory to heartfelt experience in the life of the pure and good. I have never yet found time to deal in abstractions or subtle metaphysics.

" A weary pilgrim Sighing for the rest to come/'

I would rather promote the power of Godliness — the life of Christ in the soul — I love to view religion on the practical side, as designed to operate by a few simple and grand truths, on the affections and habits of men. " Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," "We want nothing so much in the church," said the late Doctor Olin, of precious memory, "in the nineteenth century, as deeptoned piety — the ministry alive — -as blazing torches, and a holy, wakeful membership. The sole element of power by which the church can do the work assigned her by Jesus Christ, is piety. There are many churches that have only the form of Godliness but deny the power. A mere formal Christianity is weak and worthless. It is worse — it obscures the

8 PREFACE.

true light and turns men's attention away from the living fountain. What we want at present so much, is neither wealth, nor learning, nor worldly influence, but Light and Loye — the light of Christ and the love of Christ. Other things are not to be undervalued in their place ; but this is the only element of power as an instrument by which the world is to be regenerated.

" A church may be what the world calls a strong church in point of numbers and influence. A church may be made up of men of wealth, men of intellect, men of power, high born men, and men of rank and fashion, — and being so composed may be in a worldly sense a very strong church. There are many things such a church can do — it can launch ships and endow seminaries, it can diffuse intelligence, and uphold the cause of benevolence, and make religion respectable in the eyes of worldly-minded men. Its members can give to the needy of this world's goods. It can build splendid temples for God's worship. It can rear up a magnificent pile and adorn its front

FREFACE.

with sculpture — lay stone upon stone, and heap ornament upon ornament until the costliness of the ministrations at the altar will keep any poor man from entering its portal. All this it may do, and be what the world calls a strong church. But there is one thing," said the Doctor, " it can not do — it can not shine.

"It may glitter and blaze like an iceberg in the rays of the sun, but without inward holiness it can not ' shine.' Of all that is formal and material in Christianity, it may make a splendid manifestation, but it cannot shine. It may turn almost everything into gold at its touch, but it can not touch the heart. It may rear its marble front, pile tower upon tower and mountain upon mountain, but it can not ' touch the mountains and they shall smoke.' It can not conquer souls for Christ. It can not awaken the sympathies of faith and love. It can not do Christ's work in man's conversion. And with all its strength that church is iveaTc, and for Christ's peculiar work, worthless. And with all its glitter and gorgeous array it is a

PREFACE, darh, cold, formal church — < It CAN not shine.'

£< On the other hand show me a church of poor, illiterate, unknown, obscure, unnoticed but praying people. They shall be families that do not know one week where they are to get bread for the nest — they shall be men of neither wealth, nor power, nor influence, and they shall worship God in rough dingy out of the way conventicles ; but with them is the 6 hiding of God's power, 1 and their influence is felt for eternity, and their light shines and is watched, and wherever they go there is a fountain of life — and Christ in them is glorified and his kingdom advanced. They are his chosen vessels of salvation, and his luminaries to reflect his light. They may be a church weak in numbers and poor, and despised, and destitute of worldly influence — -but they are strong in, and for Christ, they do his ivork and bring home souls to glory. This is the true strength of the church — light and love — and all that is worth coveting or possessing."

I subscribe to the foregoing sentiments with

PREFACE, all my heart, It is certainly our high privilege to be raised above the world and completely consecrated to Christ. my brethren, does not the language of our fears and complaints rather resemble the complaints of captives than the shouts of victors?

We want in all the churches, a general "baptism of fire." We want more "light" "love" "heat" "salt" and "charity" We have too many worldly-minded, "one story" christians — the spiritual edifice is incomplete, My dear brother and sister, raise the soul a " story higher ' ' — ? Amen.

I would address you in the language of the ship-master to Jonah,— "What meanest thou, sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not" Awake! awake! Determine to be a more devoted christian, and "work for God." Like your Master go about and do good. There is a reward in the good done to others. And there is a reward in the good done to those thai do it. It brings a healing with it. — "Blessed

PREFACE.

is tliat servant whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing." 0, for one more lofty song of praise. "Rejoice evermore." 'And again I say, rejoice.'

" Lord, I will mean and speak thy praise,

Thy praise alone.

My busy heart shall spin it all my days :

And when it stops for want of store, Then I will wring it with a sigh or groan That thou mayest still have more."

Herbert.

I rejoice that I have the opportunity while confined at home by affliction, to send occasionally a few good thoughts abroad as it were on wings to thousands. In this way the heart can tell its story abroad, and lose not its delicacy — • it can lay itself bare, yet still remain sensitive. My warmest wishes and fervent prayer shall follow the Sacred Hour, until called to leave the watch-towers of our spiritual Jerusalem. 0, may it be graciously sanctified to that class of persons for whom it is especially designed. Read it prayerfully — not to criticise, but to become wise unto salvation. And learn to cultivate the practice of that "charity" which is

PREFACE.

pronounced greater than "Faith" or "Hope" — of which it may be said —

" None half so fair !

To all the rest, however fair, thou givest A finishing and polish, without which

No MAN E'ER ENTERED HeAVEN."

Maxwell P. Gaddis.

West End, Dayton, 0., March 12, 1856,

Contents

PREFACE, Page 3

Chapter I

Introduction* First fruits of my ministry in Piqua; Miss Sallie K. Caldwell ; Her birth and parentage ; Awakening and subsequent connection with the M. E. Church ; Her early religious experience ; Happy conversion ; Remorse of conscience, in view of mis-spent time ; Renounces the world with all its sinful amusements ; Resolves to be a Bible Christian ; Corresponds with Amelia ; Its beneficial results ; Sacred Hour ; Three hundred

LETTERS AND TWO THOUSAND UNITED PRAYERS. . * .25 — 33

CHAPTER II. Correspondence

Letter I. — Correspondence with Amelia ; Her early religious experience ; Awakened at fourteen ; Converted to God ; Backslides in four years; Becomes fearfully hardened ; Did not enter a place of worship for three years ; Reclaimed through the preaching of Rev. Wm. H. Lawder ; Unites with the M. E. Church ; Severe trials ; A gracious deliverance ; Desires a correspondence with her young friend, Miss Caldwell 33 — 46

Letter II.- — Miss C. accepts the proposition to correspond with Amelia ; Early history of Miss Sallie K. Caldwell continued ; First religious impressions ; Favored with pious parents ; Fond of worldly pleasure ; Powerfully convicted at fourteen years of age ; Desires to join the M. E. Church ; Her parents felt it their duty to decide against it ; She becomes disheartened and gives up the struggle ; The Spirit continues to strive with her ; She is again powerfully convicted of

CONTENTS.

sin ; Her parents no longer oppose her wishes ; Unites with the M. E. Church ; The change gradual, but her evidence not clear; In May 1852, while reading and praying over "Faith and its Effects," she was powerfully blest, and enabled to say, "Abba Father." Page 47— 55

Letter III. — Religious experience of Amelia continued ■ Determines to be holy ■ Exhorts her friend to seek the same blessing ; Peculiar trials ; Resolves to be firm ; Makes a proposition to Miss C. to spend one hour in secret prayer, each day, until they should both obtain the blessing of perfect love 56—68

CHAPTER III. Correspondence Continued

Letter IY.^— Experience of Sallie continued ; Happy frame of mind ; " Faith and its Effects ; " Dr. Jesse T. Peck ; " Central idea of Christianity ;" Accepts the proposition to spend an hour each day in prayer for entire sanctijication 69 — 75

Letter Y. — Wholesome instruction and affectionate exhortation from Amelia 76 — 79

Lerter YL — Personal experience ; Noble purposes and high resolves ; Miss C. determines to be a working christian ; Exhorts her friend Amelia to press forward to higher attainments 80 — 86

Letter YIL— The power of prayer ; Fresh victories ; Experimental religion ; Enthusiasm ; Ways of Providence mysterious ; The Sacred Hour ; Gloomy feelings ; Joyful deliverance ; The good old church -bell ; Its sweet music ; Attachment to class and class-mates ; Desires to be alone with God 4 87—100

CHAPTER IV. Correspondence Continued

Letter YIII. — A sore trial to give up the enjoyment of the class-room ; Mutual sympathy ; Feels

CONTENTS.

her time on earth short ; Expresses a willingness to depart if her death could only be sanctified to the good of others ; Exhorts Amelia to be faithsick ; loves what she once hated, and feels, upon a review of the past, that she is advancing in holiness Page 101— 111

Letter IX. — Increasing desires for holiness; Lack of faith ; Once enjoyed a foretaste of this blessing ; The world, with all its gaudy scenes, but " vanity and vexation of spirit ; " Amelia experiences the blessing of sanctification ; Gradually brought into it ; Small class ; Inexpressibly happy ; Tempted to withhold her testimony ; Resolves to be a bold and decided christian.112 — 122

Letter X. — The effect of the testimony of Amelia on her young friend, Miss 0. ; Resolves to make a full surrender at the Sacred Hour ; anxious to plunge into the all-healing stream ; Self-examination ; Battles with the enemy ; Peace flows as a river ; Wandering thoughts ; Thrown into worldly society ; Resolves to be more self-denying ; The Sabbath an emblem of eternal rest ; Urges others to unite with her to seek sanctification. 123-129

Letter XI.— The glorious theme — full and free salvation ; Union of feeling ; Mutual confidence ; Female prayer meeting ; if ever shun the cross ; Cold-hearted professors ; A wrestling spirit for the full emancipation of Sallie ; Thankful for a kind friend with whom to correspond on reli-

Letter XII. — Waves of temptation ; Jesus at the helm ; Rich feast in the class-room ; Life short ; An agonizing spirit ; Faith increasing ; Social meeting for prayer in the sick room ; Moonlight scene ; " O, for a heart to praise my God ; " The house of mourning ; Savior graciously near at ful ; Instructive daily

Visits the gious subjects,

131—139

CHAPTER V. Correspondence Continued

COKTENTS.

the Sacred Hour ; Sallie laments the want of zeal in the Church, and ardently desires the con

version of sinners Page 140 — 147

Letter XIII. — Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord ; Peculiar feelings ; a holy nearness to God ; Religion better felt than told ; Amelia deeply impressed under preaching ; makes a proposition to pursue a regular course of reading at the Sacred Hour, also proposes to Miss C. to observe the first Friday of each month as a day of fasting and prayer and self-examination ; Successful kind of praying ; the Bible the best of books ; Catjghey, and reading an interesting novel 148—155

Letter XIV. — Realizing what it is to " walk and talk with God ; " The fire of holiness beginning to burn ; Holy Ghost religion ; God is love ; Beautiful poetry ; Nonconformity to the world ; Letting our light shine ; Refreshed by the society of christian friends ; Strong faith 156 — 162

Letter XV. — Shutting out the world ; Looking up to " brighter scenes in heaven ; " Desire to see a revival of the work of God ; Fearful responsibility; House of mourning ; Death of Brother Landes ; On the borders of the goodly land ; Fellowship of kindred minds ; Sweet to trust in God; Happy week ; Fresh victories over the world, the flesh and the Devil 163—167

Letter XVI. — The Sacred Hour ; Precious promises ; Long talk with a christian sister ; " Open thy mouth wide, and the Lord will fill it ; " A hungering and thirsting after righteousness ; Great peace of mind 168—173

Letter XVII. — Remarkable answer to prayer; Happy in the class-room ; Sermon of Rev. M. P. Gaddis ; Blessings of perfect love ; Afraid to venture; Repeating the motto; Caughey on quenching the Spirit 174—179

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VI. Correspondence Continued

Letter XVIII, —-Happy frame of mind ; Liberty in prayer ; The beginning of good times ; Profitable course of reading ; "It is finished ; " Settled gloom, no particular temptation ; Change of feelings; Thorn in the flesh; "My grace is sufficient;" My very life clings to that promise ; Severe trials ; More than conqueror ; Agonizing moments ; Committed all to God ; Experienced the blessing of holiness three weeks since. Page 180 — 188

Letter XIX. — Slight indisposition ; Remains at home ; Unwillingness to cause her mother the least anxiety ; A burning desire to be constantly engaged for the salvation of the unconverted ; A strong temptation, because of so short an experience of religion ; Mary Mitchell ; Funeral sermon in the Guide to Holiness, by Brother Gaddis ; A long and deeply thrilling letter of exhortation and encouragement to Amelia ; the revival progressing. 189 — 200

Letter XX. — Clinging to the cross by naked faith; Straightened while speaking in class ; Resolves to follow the leadings of the Spirit ; Blest by the experience of Sister Rayner ; Fiery trials ; A singular dream ; A message from heaven ; " Feed my lambs." 201—205

Letter XXL— Our sacred theme ; A flood of light ; Victory over evil feelings ; Love sitting porter at the door ; An earnest sermon ; Last day of 1852; A happy New Year ; Commenced 1853 as a christian ; Appropriate Diary Scripture verse ; Commences a Journal of religious experience. 206-21 2

Letter XXIL — A strange and beautiful vision ; A diversified pathway ; Elysian Fields ; Refreshing springs ; Beautiful river ; Point of separation ; See, sweet sister, I am almost home ; A soul-stirring conversation ; " My work is not yet done ; What must we infer from this vision ? Si 3-211

CONTENTS.

Letter XXIII. — The beautiful " vision Anunrevealed meanning ; The whole matter made a subject of prayer ; Vanity Fair ; Rovers' concert ; All-prayer a tried weapon Page 218 — 220

Letter XXIV. — Beautiful poetry; " The rest of the Ransomed ; ' — his home in the skies; An unusual sadness ; Poor health ; Future disposition of letters Page 221—223

CHAPTER VII. Extracts from Journal in 1853

Formed some rules for the regulation of her course ; Home a type of heaven ; Religion a personal matter ; The service of God a thousand fold more delightful than when she first started. 224-228

Beautiful and instructive extracts from letters to Amelia in 1853 229—254

CHAPTER VIII. Extracts from Journal, January 1st, 1854

Highest ambition to be holy in heart and life ; A strong desire to be always on the right side — "The Lord's Side;'* Bethel cause; Sabbath school cause : Enabled during the past year to live in the daily discharge of all her religious duties ; Resolves to pray twice each day until the witness of perfect love shall be given her. 255—258

CHAPTER IX. Extracts from Letters to Amelia in 1854

Rejoices that 1854 finds her on advanced ground; Resolves to bear every cross — to be perfected in christian graces ; Thanks God that she renounced the world in the days of her youth : Harrassed with a wandering state of mind ; The fruits of the Spirit — " Love, Joy, Peace ; " Conversation with her mother ; Professes to love God supremely ; Desires to depart and be with Christ ; A presentiment that she may die from home, " with a stranger's hand to wipe the sweat from her mar-

CONTENTS.

ble brow ; " A willingness to become a messenger of glad tidings to the heathen — to forsake home and friends for the sake of Christ ; Expresses her thanks to Amelia for preparing her for battle ; Communes with God in the forest ; Returns rejoicing; Beautiful poetry — " 0, turn not back ! 0, turn not back ! " Mrs. Rayner; Excellent sermon by Rev. J. Newson ; Ruling feeling — I am safe ; Latitude in spiritual matters ; My single aim to become heavenly minded; Letter of condolence to wife of Rev. James Cavin Page 259—277

CHAPTER X. The Dying Scene at Berlin Hights

Declining health ; May, 1855 ; Deeply impressed that her time would be short ; Affliction a good school ; Last Sabbath in Piqua, July 9 ; Affecting interview with Amelia; God owns me for his child; A desire to be released ; JSTo selfish motive prompts me to live ; I want to do good ; Reading the Scriptures and prayer ; A glimpse of the Celestial city ; Glorious hope ; Departure from Piqua ; I intend to be a christian and work for God ; Descriptive letter from Berlin Hights ; Sickness ; Last letter ; Triumphant death ; Last words ; O, how bright ! 0, how bright ! O, how bright ! Funeral at Piqua ; Beautiful poetry — Weep not for her 278 — 296

Chapter XI. She Hath Done What She Could

She kept back no part of the price ; Beautiful traits of character : Gifts that any christian might " earnestly covet ; ' ' Extent of her correspondence ; Testimony to the fidelity of Amelia ; Christian fellowship " doubly blest ; " Attachment to her class Leader, Father Kirk ; Love for all of Christ's ambassadors ; Remarkable answers to prayer ; A burning desire to be useful ; Faithfulness as a

CONTENTS.

Sabbath School teacher ; Willingness to do anything to promote the welfare of her scholars ; Studied her Sabbath School lesson with prayer ; Many calls to do good ; A desire to fee delivered from selfishness ; Eeceived a great blessing while teaching her Sabbath School class ■ Bro. Jno. Gill ; Absent from her Sabbath School class but two Sabbaths from the time she united with the church ; Taught a class two Sabbaths at Berlin Hights ; a word of encouragement for a disheartened teacher ; Careful observer of the Sabbath ; A noble example, worthy of imitation ; A self-denying christian ; Shuns the appearance of evil ; Not afraid to be called singular or over-scrupulous ; "Would Jesus frequent such places ; Meekness when reviled ; Women speaking in meeting — quite too enthusiastic ; A willingness to bear the cross ; A time when true kindness is most felt ; Visiting the sick ; Comforting a widow ; Bethel Cause ; President of a Bethel Society ; Missionary Cause ; Project to raise money ; A cheerful religion ; Clear views of the exceeding sinfulness of sin ; Found relief in prayer ; A sweet voice ; Loved to sing the songs of Zion ; I greet you with a smiling face ; What a privilege to live in America ; Woman's high position ; Golden opportunities ; A kind word and a helping hand in time of need; Home a type of heaven; Sallie's father a ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church ; Good advice to young converts ; Miss Caldwell not a bigot ; Her love for her own church ; Love for all evangelical ministers ; Tribute to the memoiy of Miss Caldwell from the pen of Kev. William H. Lawder ; A full consecration ; " Could I all human souls combine ; " The Old North Koom ; A good reporter for the press; A great admirer of Nature; Religion an habitual thing ; No compromises with the world ; Freedom from error the sole prerogative of heaven ; Full of goodness ; A severe dispensation ; That life is longest which an swers life's great end ; She loved to work for Jesus ; Ruling feeling — I am safe ; Enjoyed

CONTENTS, more than she professed ; Measure of her christian attainments ; A. sweet voice from the spirit land ; Her last words on leaving Piqua ; " she hath done what she could." Page 297-327

Chapter XII

This I do foe Jesus, my Savior. The Noble Mother ; Poly carp and the Proconsul ; A martyr's spirit still in the church ; Cannot serve God and Mammon ; "World like an Egyptian Temple ; Its emptiness and vanity ; No royal road to heaven ; Children of Calvary ; The fatal Lotus tree ; Forsaking all for Christ ; What shall I do when you are gone ? I see God will have my heart ; We love him because he first loved us ; The ingratitude of man 5 If any one knoweth anything in favor of this person, let him come forward ; "What think ye of Christ ? What is your testimony ? Louis XIV, of France ; Eddystone Light House ; The " burnt post " ; Widow's lamp ; A custom in Greenland ; Is God in this house ? Is your house known in heaven ? Have you a prophets' chamber on the wall ? Is ~$[ Y . a christian ? It is not what a man professes, but how he lives, that must decide the reality of his religion , Page 328—340

Chapter XIII

That I might glorify God in my Death. "Christian behold ! the land is nearing ''William, you will now perceive to what purpose I have lived, — that I might glorify God in my death ; 3 1 Christ shall be magnified in my body; The church still in a military state ; Ensign bearers ; Dividing the spoil ; Garlands of honor ; No charter of exemption ; Perfect through suffering ; Life a mixed cup ; River running sweet in the morning and bitter in the evening ; Wincesslaus, the Bohemian Prince ; Christ forming footsteps for us in rough and slippery places ; He has gone before us and mapped out the way in blood ;

CONTENTS.

He will subdue thine enemies from before thy face; More than conquerors ; Key. Benjamin Lakin; Funeral sermon at Calvary ; " I wish to die at such time and place and in that way which will bring most glory to my Redeemer;'' His tranquil state of mind ; Looking at his watch ; Sudden death ; We should have no other will but God's ; " I would refer it back again ; *'