Ok, friends, I am heading for Israel tomorrow. I don't think I will be blogging much if at all, but who knows. I have my poor man's iPad--a moleskine notebook-- that I think I will use to clarify some thoughts before I put them on the blog. but maybe I won't be able to wait?
So if you don't see anything here, no worries. I'll be back.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
John Prickard, Methodist Preacher
Prickard was one of Wesley's early preachers. He relates an incident in his ministry that is stirring; something that I think speaks to us today. Would our preachers have his conviction and courage? I'll interact with the incident described below on apostolic obsession, http://apostolicobsession.blogspot.com
While he was appointed to a circuit in Ireland, a large merchant vessel sank off the coast. People began scavenging to goods as they came on shore--stealing, as it were. Prickard was heartbroken: "I went among our poor, fallen people on the Isle of Cale and found that every society, more or less, except those dear people at Strangford, had been involved."
Prickard relates his course of action: "I saw I had nothing to do but get rid of them, and at the same time preach repentance and restitution to them. My preaching had the desired effect on many, who came with tears and made restitution (to the shipping company) as they were able.
"Nevertheless, I thought it was my duty to put them out of the society for a season, as their crime was so glaring, so heinous. I considered that repentance was all that we could require for the offense against God, and restitution was all we could require for the offense against their neighbor; but they could make no satisfaction for the scandal they had brought on the people of God except by being publicly put out of the society, and kept out for some time. I accordingly with an almost broken heart, took 63 people off the rolls, noting that those who repented and made restitution would be readmitted at a later time. But those who would not were recorded with a note as to their obstinacy."
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While he was appointed to a circuit in Ireland, a large merchant vessel sank off the coast. People began scavenging to goods as they came on shore--stealing, as it were. Prickard was heartbroken: "I went among our poor, fallen people on the Isle of Cale and found that every society, more or less, except those dear people at Strangford, had been involved."
Prickard relates his course of action: "I saw I had nothing to do but get rid of them, and at the same time preach repentance and restitution to them. My preaching had the desired effect on many, who came with tears and made restitution (to the shipping company) as they were able.
"Nevertheless, I thought it was my duty to put them out of the society for a season, as their crime was so glaring, so heinous. I considered that repentance was all that we could require for the offense against God, and restitution was all we could require for the offense against their neighbor; but they could make no satisfaction for the scandal they had brought on the people of God except by being publicly put out of the society, and kept out for some time. I accordingly with an almost broken heart, took 63 people off the rolls, noting that those who repented and made restitution would be readmitted at a later time. But those who would not were recorded with a note as to their obstinacy."
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, January 8, 2011
The Persecutions of Thomas Lee, Methodist preacher, part 6
"On July 16 was our trial in Nottingham. But the grand jury, attempting to keep the rioters out of trouble, would not charge them with disturbing me during public worship, but only for assaulting me.. They were therefore bound over for the next assize to be tried for assault. Meantime, an innumerable mob was collected both within and without the court, threatening what they would do to me. I therefore asked the recorder for a guard. He immediately ordered two constables to conduct me safely to my lodgings. The mob roared, but could do no more. So I got home safely. At the following assizes, several of the rioters were indicted: and judge's warrants were issued and executed. In October, my counsel and the recorder (to prevent more trouble) agreed what each rioter should pay, after admitting to the crime and promising to not repeat their actions. The recorder then spoke plainly to them about their offense, and hearing that the Nottingham mob was again gathering, sent two constables to guard me to my lodgings and to give the people notice that if anyone attacked me, he would immediately send him to prison. Thus ended the troublesome affair at Newark. Since then the work of God has prospered greatly. And a preaching house has been built in which numerous congregations meet without any disturbance."
Thomas Lee's widow wrote these words to Brother Wesley: "He preached twice the Sunday before he died, even though he went to the preaching house on crutches and sat the whole time he preached. His first text that day was, 'All flesh is as grass, and the glory thereof is as the flower of the grass. The grass withereth, the flower thereof fadeth away.' His last text was, 'Surely I know that it will be well with them that fear the Lord.' In this sermon, he said, 'Perhaps this will be my last sermon,' and truly the power of the Lord was solemnly felt by most present."
John Nelson, one of the greatest Methodist preachers, and one who suffered much in persecution as well said, "Brother Thomas Lee is a faithful laborer. He is a right old Methodist preacher, and the power of God attends his word."
Thomas Lee's widow wrote these words to Brother Wesley: "He preached twice the Sunday before he died, even though he went to the preaching house on crutches and sat the whole time he preached. His first text that day was, 'All flesh is as grass, and the glory thereof is as the flower of the grass. The grass withereth, the flower thereof fadeth away.' His last text was, 'Surely I know that it will be well with them that fear the Lord.' In this sermon, he said, 'Perhaps this will be my last sermon,' and truly the power of the Lord was solemnly felt by most present."
John Nelson, one of the greatest Methodist preachers, and one who suffered much in persecution as well said, "Brother Thomas Lee is a faithful laborer. He is a right old Methodist preacher, and the power of God attends his word."
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Persecutions of Thomas Lee, Methodist Preacher, Part 5
In 1760, Lee was appointed to Epworth, the Anglican parish where John and Charles Wesley grew up.
"This winter we were invited to Newark-on-Trent. But we met with great opposition from riotous mobs encouraged by important men. On the 24th of March they took the pulpit out of the preaching house and burned it in the market place. I went back there on the 7th of April, with Mr and Mrs Pool. The preaching was to begin at 2 o'clock, but a large mob was there before I began. I prayed and preached a short sermon. Toward the end of my preaching, they threw a large quantity of eggs filled with blood, and sealed with pitch, which had a startling effect wherever they landed. when they had thrown all of them, they got even more agitated. We judged it best to send for the mayor. But instead of stopping the riot, he ordered me to appear before him. On our way to the main street, there was a deep, muddy drain. They attempted to push me into it. But I grabbed one of the mob and held him so tight they could not throw me in without him. When we got to the mayor's, he sent for the town-clerk. I showed them the Act of Toleration [An act of Parliament which allowed for dissenters--those who did not belong to the Church of England-- to worship without persecution; thus, Methodists, who DID belong to the Church of England, were definitely free to preach], and the certificate of my license, observing that I had done nothing which the law did not allow. After much discussion, our friends gave evidence agains three of the rioters, who were bound over to the assizes [quarterly criminal court for serious crimes].
"As there were thousands of the mob in the streets, I asked the mayor to send an officer to guard me. He said he would go himself. He did, but only as far as the gate and when I stepped out, he retreated back inside. I was immediately surrounded, and they began to throw mud, dirt clods, and stones. They kept this up until we got back to the preaching house. Our friends decided that we would not be safe there, so they advised me to mount my horse and gallop through the mob, which I tried to do. But some of the mob held the gate shut and others beat my horse so violently that I thought it would be best to dismount and go the back way. But the mob was there also and beat me and the mare, and when I tried to mount, they pulled me back and the mare got away from me. Then they dragged me along, sometimes on my feet and sometimes on the ground, to bank of the Trent, swearing they would throw me in. But they could not agree on this and so they dumped water all over me. A painter then came with his pot and brush and laid it on me thick. They still surrounded me, throwing dirt and beating me until I could barely move. They told me they would let me go if I would agree nevre to return, but I could not do that. Just then a man came, cursing, swearing, and threatening, offended it seemed by their actions. Most of them then left me and ran off."
Part 6 will be the last of Thomas Lee, and will deal with the trial of those responsible for this disturbance.
"This winter we were invited to Newark-on-Trent. But we met with great opposition from riotous mobs encouraged by important men. On the 24th of March they took the pulpit out of the preaching house and burned it in the market place. I went back there on the 7th of April, with Mr and Mrs Pool. The preaching was to begin at 2 o'clock, but a large mob was there before I began. I prayed and preached a short sermon. Toward the end of my preaching, they threw a large quantity of eggs filled with blood, and sealed with pitch, which had a startling effect wherever they landed. when they had thrown all of them, they got even more agitated. We judged it best to send for the mayor. But instead of stopping the riot, he ordered me to appear before him. On our way to the main street, there was a deep, muddy drain. They attempted to push me into it. But I grabbed one of the mob and held him so tight they could not throw me in without him. When we got to the mayor's, he sent for the town-clerk. I showed them the Act of Toleration [An act of Parliament which allowed for dissenters--those who did not belong to the Church of England-- to worship without persecution; thus, Methodists, who DID belong to the Church of England, were definitely free to preach], and the certificate of my license, observing that I had done nothing which the law did not allow. After much discussion, our friends gave evidence agains three of the rioters, who were bound over to the assizes [quarterly criminal court for serious crimes].
"As there were thousands of the mob in the streets, I asked the mayor to send an officer to guard me. He said he would go himself. He did, but only as far as the gate and when I stepped out, he retreated back inside. I was immediately surrounded, and they began to throw mud, dirt clods, and stones. They kept this up until we got back to the preaching house. Our friends decided that we would not be safe there, so they advised me to mount my horse and gallop through the mob, which I tried to do. But some of the mob held the gate shut and others beat my horse so violently that I thought it would be best to dismount and go the back way. But the mob was there also and beat me and the mare, and when I tried to mount, they pulled me back and the mare got away from me. Then they dragged me along, sometimes on my feet and sometimes on the ground, to bank of the Trent, swearing they would throw me in. But they could not agree on this and so they dumped water all over me. A painter then came with his pot and brush and laid it on me thick. They still surrounded me, throwing dirt and beating me until I could barely move. They told me they would let me go if I would agree nevre to return, but I could not do that. Just then a man came, cursing, swearing, and threatening, offended it seemed by their actions. Most of them then left me and ran off."
Part 6 will be the last of Thomas Lee, and will deal with the trial of those responsible for this disturbance.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The Persecutions of Thomas Lee, Methodist Preacher, part 4
Following up from yesterday's post:
"But hearing I was to preach some miles off, on the other side of the river, they immediately split up and blocked the bridges. This caused us to ride many miles out of our way. And because it was dark, we lost our way on the moors.
"We wandered until we were throughly wet with snow and rain, but late that night found our way to Thomas Lupton's. The congregation had waited for several hours, being in much fear that I was killed. I changed my clothes and though it was late, preached to them as the Lord enabled me. It seemed to us a little less than heaven, and though it was a hard day, still it was a blessed day to my soul.
"I remember once during these seasons of trouble, where my life seemed to hang in the balance, I thought, 'It is hard to have no rest, to be constantly suffering.' Immediately it came to mind: 'when you were in despair, did you not promise that if the Lord gave you assurance of His favor, that you would count no suffering, sorrow, or affliction too great to be endured for His name's sake?' This at once silenced all my complaints, and from that point on, I took whatever came with patience and even joy, finding a willingness to bear it as long He saw fit, even if meant the end of my own life."
I think I have two more installments on the troubles Thomas Lee faced; they are his own addendum to his biography in Wesley's Veterans. In the meantime, long-time listener, first-time caller Francine has a question. She asks what could cause such outrage against a preacher? "Maybe they preached on Hell?" she asks...
From what I can tell from the preachers who talk about being mobbed, there are various reasons.
Bar owners were upset because their business dropped off significantly as drunkards were delivered. Or as men decided they simply could not be Christians if they spent the money meant to support their families on drink.
Some folks definitely did not want to hear they were sinners. This stirred up "commoners," but especially angered local nobility, who were able to hire mobs.
There is also something offensive in conversion, no? You have to step away from the life you were leading, and the friends you used to hang around. Even if you never say anything, they feel judgment. Some respond negatively.
Evangelical Doctrine was not common in England in those days. The nobility did not think they were sinners-- coal miners and other "poor" folks were-- it's why some are poor and some are noble. The common man figured that all he needed to do was go to church. Evangelical preaching upset that comfort, that generations-long "tradition." Some folks always get mad about turning over the apple cart.
The biggest persecutors were the clergy of the Church of England. John and Charles Wesley started the Methodist movement (which during their lifetimes was always part of the Church of England-- they did not generally preach while church was in service, and encouraged their followers to go to church, but to meet together for spiritual encouragement) because the Church of England was moribund. There was a stale, intellectual and ineffectual faith. repeat the formulas in the Book of Common Prayer, and all was well. The Methodists preached true Christianity: salvation by faith, a life lived according to the Scriptures.
For whatever reason, this was a threat to some in the established church.
"But hearing I was to preach some miles off, on the other side of the river, they immediately split up and blocked the bridges. This caused us to ride many miles out of our way. And because it was dark, we lost our way on the moors.
"We wandered until we were throughly wet with snow and rain, but late that night found our way to Thomas Lupton's. The congregation had waited for several hours, being in much fear that I was killed. I changed my clothes and though it was late, preached to them as the Lord enabled me. It seemed to us a little less than heaven, and though it was a hard day, still it was a blessed day to my soul.
"I remember once during these seasons of trouble, where my life seemed to hang in the balance, I thought, 'It is hard to have no rest, to be constantly suffering.' Immediately it came to mind: 'when you were in despair, did you not promise that if the Lord gave you assurance of His favor, that you would count no suffering, sorrow, or affliction too great to be endured for His name's sake?' This at once silenced all my complaints, and from that point on, I took whatever came with patience and even joy, finding a willingness to bear it as long He saw fit, even if meant the end of my own life."
I think I have two more installments on the troubles Thomas Lee faced; they are his own addendum to his biography in Wesley's Veterans. In the meantime, long-time listener, first-time caller Francine has a question. She asks what could cause such outrage against a preacher? "Maybe they preached on Hell?" she asks...
From what I can tell from the preachers who talk about being mobbed, there are various reasons.
Bar owners were upset because their business dropped off significantly as drunkards were delivered. Or as men decided they simply could not be Christians if they spent the money meant to support their families on drink.
Some folks definitely did not want to hear they were sinners. This stirred up "commoners," but especially angered local nobility, who were able to hire mobs.
There is also something offensive in conversion, no? You have to step away from the life you were leading, and the friends you used to hang around. Even if you never say anything, they feel judgment. Some respond negatively.
Evangelical Doctrine was not common in England in those days. The nobility did not think they were sinners-- coal miners and other "poor" folks were-- it's why some are poor and some are noble. The common man figured that all he needed to do was go to church. Evangelical preaching upset that comfort, that generations-long "tradition." Some folks always get mad about turning over the apple cart.
The biggest persecutors were the clergy of the Church of England. John and Charles Wesley started the Methodist movement (which during their lifetimes was always part of the Church of England-- they did not generally preach while church was in service, and encouraged their followers to go to church, but to meet together for spiritual encouragement) because the Church of England was moribund. There was a stale, intellectual and ineffectual faith. repeat the formulas in the Book of Common Prayer, and all was well. The Methodists preached true Christianity: salvation by faith, a life lived according to the Scriptures.
For whatever reason, this was a threat to some in the established church.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Persecutions of Thomas Lee, Methodist Preacher, part 3
Continuing from yesterday's post, the day after Lee's harrowing encounter with the mob:
"The next morning I preached again. Afterwards, several accompanied me to North Pasture. There were many serious hearers; but the captain of the mob came and made some disturbance, and then with a large stick broke every pane of glass in a large window.. This made a little confusion at first, but afterwards, the Lord poured down His blessing in an uncommon manner. Almost all were in tears and they joyfully accepted the destruction of their property....
"The summer autumn and winter were times of hot persecution. Our friends frequently suffered when they had to do business in Pateley. Their clothes were spoiled and they were assaulted. They applied for justice to the Dean of Ripon, but found none. But what made amends was that we loved each other dealry, and had wonderful times together. In January I was invited to preach about a mile from Pateley. When I came, the mob gathered.
"However, in the name of the Lord I began; and though they blasphemed horribly, and broke the windows [in the works of other early Methodist preachers, they attest to how common it was to break the windows out of homes that invited the preachers. They also liked to pull out the window frames, and even attempted to pull down the walls], I was not interrupted or intimidated, but prayed, preached, and concluded in peace. As soon as I had ended, things got out of hand. I went into a room and prayed. Someone came and told me that the mob had forced its way into the house and would quickly be in the room, but I should jump out of the window where some men would catch me as I fell."
"The next morning I preached again. Afterwards, several accompanied me to North Pasture. There were many serious hearers; but the captain of the mob came and made some disturbance, and then with a large stick broke every pane of glass in a large window.. This made a little confusion at first, but afterwards, the Lord poured down His blessing in an uncommon manner. Almost all were in tears and they joyfully accepted the destruction of their property....
"The summer autumn and winter were times of hot persecution. Our friends frequently suffered when they had to do business in Pateley. Their clothes were spoiled and they were assaulted. They applied for justice to the Dean of Ripon, but found none. But what made amends was that we loved each other dealry, and had wonderful times together. In January I was invited to preach about a mile from Pateley. When I came, the mob gathered.
"However, in the name of the Lord I began; and though they blasphemed horribly, and broke the windows [in the works of other early Methodist preachers, they attest to how common it was to break the windows out of homes that invited the preachers. They also liked to pull out the window frames, and even attempted to pull down the walls], I was not interrupted or intimidated, but prayed, preached, and concluded in peace. As soon as I had ended, things got out of hand. I went into a room and prayed. Someone came and told me that the mob had forced its way into the house and would quickly be in the room, but I should jump out of the window where some men would catch me as I fell."
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The Persecutions of Thomas Lee, Methodist Preacher, part 2
From Lee's own words in Wesley's Veterans, vol 3.
"Having now labored near four years, and travelled generally on foot, having been often thoroughly wet, and obliged to keep on my wet clothes all day, and having frequently when at home worked at night, that I might not be a burden to anyone, I found I was not as strong as I had been. And the number of places [to preach] still increasing, I was obliged, though much against my will, to give up my business, and buy a horse.
"In the year 1752, and during the winter following, the work of God prospered exceedingly; but persecution raged on every side. The malice of the devil was chiefly leveled against me as I was the first that disturbed his servants in these parts. So that wherever I went, I was in much danger, carrying as it were my life in my hand. One day as I was going through Pateley, the captain of the mob, who was kept in constant pay, pursued me and pulled me off my horse. The mob then soon gathered around me and one or more tripped me (I believe more than 20 times) on the cobblestones. They then dragged me into a house by the hair, then pushed me back with one or two upon me, and threw me into the stone stairs, which I hit with the small of my back. This nearly broke my back and it was not well for many years after. Thence they dragged me to the sewer, which carries the effluent from the town to the river. They rolled me in it for some time; then dragged me to the bridge and threw me into the water. I ended up mostly on the river bank, as I had no strength left.
"My wife and some friends came up, and the mob seeing some taking care of me, asked, "What, are you a Methodist?" and hit her several times, which made her mouth bleed, and they swore they would throw her in the river, too. All this time I lay on the ground, the mob not sure what to do. Some cried out, "Kill him!" others thought to spare my life; but their arguments were ended by deciding to throw still others into the river. So they took them away and left my wife and me alone. She tried to get me to my feet, but with no strength I fell back down. She got me up again, and supported me about a hundred yards. Then I was set on a horse and rode as furtively as possible to Michael Granger's house. Here I was stripped from head to toe and washed. I left my wet clothes there and rode on to Greenow Hill were many were waiting for me, and though I was bruised and weak, I preached a short sermon from Psalm 34:19: 'Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.'"
"Having now labored near four years, and travelled generally on foot, having been often thoroughly wet, and obliged to keep on my wet clothes all day, and having frequently when at home worked at night, that I might not be a burden to anyone, I found I was not as strong as I had been. And the number of places [to preach] still increasing, I was obliged, though much against my will, to give up my business, and buy a horse.
"In the year 1752, and during the winter following, the work of God prospered exceedingly; but persecution raged on every side. The malice of the devil was chiefly leveled against me as I was the first that disturbed his servants in these parts. So that wherever I went, I was in much danger, carrying as it were my life in my hand. One day as I was going through Pateley, the captain of the mob, who was kept in constant pay, pursued me and pulled me off my horse. The mob then soon gathered around me and one or more tripped me (I believe more than 20 times) on the cobblestones. They then dragged me into a house by the hair, then pushed me back with one or two upon me, and threw me into the stone stairs, which I hit with the small of my back. This nearly broke my back and it was not well for many years after. Thence they dragged me to the sewer, which carries the effluent from the town to the river. They rolled me in it for some time; then dragged me to the bridge and threw me into the water. I ended up mostly on the river bank, as I had no strength left.
"My wife and some friends came up, and the mob seeing some taking care of me, asked, "What, are you a Methodist?" and hit her several times, which made her mouth bleed, and they swore they would throw her in the river, too. All this time I lay on the ground, the mob not sure what to do. Some cried out, "Kill him!" others thought to spare my life; but their arguments were ended by deciding to throw still others into the river. So they took them away and left my wife and me alone. She tried to get me to my feet, but with no strength I fell back down. She got me up again, and supported me about a hundred yards. Then I was set on a horse and rode as furtively as possible to Michael Granger's house. Here I was stripped from head to toe and washed. I left my wet clothes there and rode on to Greenow Hill were many were waiting for me, and though I was bruised and weak, I preached a short sermon from Psalm 34:19: 'Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.'"
Monday, January 3, 2011
The Persecutions of Thomas Lee, Methodist Preacher, part 1
Thomas Lee experienced more violent opposition than any of the early Methodist preachers I have read about yet. Over a few posts, I'll share his accounts. His account is in vol 3 of Wesley's Veterans
Lee started preaching in the home of the man to whom he was apprenticed. People readily heard him, and he began to travel a bit to preach in nearby towns. He especially sought out the towns where there was little or no Methodist presence.
When he went to a town called Pately Bridge, the Anglican priest of the parish had hired a mob to attack the preachers and worshippers. the mob threw stones and beat people with sticks. Lee says he reeled "to and fro and my head was broken with a stone. But I never found my soul more happy...it was a glorious time; and there are several who date their conversion from that day. After I was a little cleaned, I went to a neighboring town, where, when my head was dressed, I preached abroad to abundance of people, may of whom had followed me from Patrly Bridge. Some of the mob also followed; but as the wretched minister was not present to head them, and they were greatly outnumbered, they behaved peaceably."
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Lee started preaching in the home of the man to whom he was apprenticed. People readily heard him, and he began to travel a bit to preach in nearby towns. He especially sought out the towns where there was little or no Methodist presence.
When he went to a town called Pately Bridge, the Anglican priest of the parish had hired a mob to attack the preachers and worshippers. the mob threw stones and beat people with sticks. Lee says he reeled "to and fro and my head was broken with a stone. But I never found my soul more happy...it was a glorious time; and there are several who date their conversion from that day. After I was a little cleaned, I went to a neighboring town, where, when my head was dressed, I preached abroad to abundance of people, may of whom had followed me from Patrly Bridge. Some of the mob also followed; but as the wretched minister was not present to head them, and they were greatly outnumbered, they behaved peaceably."
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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