From Wesley's Sermon 24
"It is impossible for any that have it to hide the religion of Jesus Christ."
"Men who love darkness rather than light will make every effort to prove that the light in you is darkness... Your [persistence] will make you still more visible and conspicuous than you were before."
"A secret, unobserved religion cannot be the religion of Jesus Christ."
"God does not enlighten any soul with his glorious knowledge and love to have it covered or concealed, either by so-called prudence, or shame..."
These thoughts are foremost in my mind as I consider evangelism in this season. We dare not, we cannot hide the love and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ! It will not be enough that we ourselves are joyful and ecstatic, receiving some private benefit, perhaps like children of a wealthy and indulgent father, cavorting while other kids can only imagine what it would be like...
Please, tell them the reason for the joy that is in you! Tell them the reason for the season! Compel them to come into the Feast!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
George Story, Methodist Preacher
George Story was born in the West Riding of Yorkshire in 1738. He was something of a prodigy, having read the catechism and explained his understanding of it to the minister-- at the age of 4! By the age of 6, he had read the entire Bible several times. He repeats a story common to a couple of other of Wesley's Veterans, that when he was a boy he threw a rock at a neighbor's fowl, not immediately killing it, and being very disturbed by the animal's death agonies.
His parents taught him to fear the Lord, and the local minister of the Church of England was a pious and engaging man, so the young Story had a solid foundation. But as his boyhood wore on into adolescence, Story started drifting away from his training and ultimately his faith. Story was apprenticed to printers and booksellers, and was around not only lots of information that he greedily absorbed, but also around the latest intellectual fashions.
He tried to fit into the world, thinking he would be in the "party crowd," playing cards-- but this bored him. He decided perhaps he would start betting on horses, but he thought that surely humans were made for more than watching horses go round and round. Because he was of a serious bent, and inclined to think about what was the purpose of life, and having left his faith behind, he fell into Deism.
Story says something that really strikes at the root of my conversion to Christianity. He remarks that he had tried to live his life according to Reason, but that he stood condemned "even by that partial judge;" which is to say, you'll always have a long list of real good reasons for everything you've done. But at the end of the day, for all the learning and thinking and justifications, you find yourself as venal and self-serving as anyone. So what do you do?
At this juncture in his life, Story heard that his mother had found grace among the Methodists. She encouraged him to go hear them. He went for her sake, but was prepared to scorn their ignorant ways. He said, indeed, that since all their arguments were from Scripture and he did not care what Scripture said, he wrote them off.
But a young woman among the Methodists asked him if he was happy. He said No, and she asked if he wanted to be. He said he had sought that by as many means as he could find, but alas, did not have it. She said that if he sought the Lord he would find the peace and happiness he was looking for. Somehow, this struck deep within him, and he did seek the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, and says that he then discovered how important the Scriptures are: "there is no other revelation of the divine will to mankind... I found my reason had been deceived and corrupted by the suggestions of an enemy..."
He joined the Methodist societies, and only reluctantly began exhorting and sharing what he learned. He felt a call to preach, but as he had a speech impediment, he was not sure how he would fare. The Methodists opened a small chapel nearby and he began to preach regularly. At the Conference of 1762, he went only with the intention of listening to the discussions, and spending some time with the preachers. As it turned out, his friends suggested him to the Conference as a preacher, and off he went!
Story died in 1818, and a friend said of him, "He was on old disciple, a faithful laborer in the Lord's vineyard. He continued to travel in various parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland."
He finished his career by being the head of the Methodist printing house-- back to his old work.
Just before he died, he said, "I feel Christ to be more precious to my soul than ever."
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
His parents taught him to fear the Lord, and the local minister of the Church of England was a pious and engaging man, so the young Story had a solid foundation. But as his boyhood wore on into adolescence, Story started drifting away from his training and ultimately his faith. Story was apprenticed to printers and booksellers, and was around not only lots of information that he greedily absorbed, but also around the latest intellectual fashions.
He tried to fit into the world, thinking he would be in the "party crowd," playing cards-- but this bored him. He decided perhaps he would start betting on horses, but he thought that surely humans were made for more than watching horses go round and round. Because he was of a serious bent, and inclined to think about what was the purpose of life, and having left his faith behind, he fell into Deism.
Story says something that really strikes at the root of my conversion to Christianity. He remarks that he had tried to live his life according to Reason, but that he stood condemned "even by that partial judge;" which is to say, you'll always have a long list of real good reasons for everything you've done. But at the end of the day, for all the learning and thinking and justifications, you find yourself as venal and self-serving as anyone. So what do you do?
At this juncture in his life, Story heard that his mother had found grace among the Methodists. She encouraged him to go hear them. He went for her sake, but was prepared to scorn their ignorant ways. He said, indeed, that since all their arguments were from Scripture and he did not care what Scripture said, he wrote them off.
But a young woman among the Methodists asked him if he was happy. He said No, and she asked if he wanted to be. He said he had sought that by as many means as he could find, but alas, did not have it. She said that if he sought the Lord he would find the peace and happiness he was looking for. Somehow, this struck deep within him, and he did seek the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, and says that he then discovered how important the Scriptures are: "there is no other revelation of the divine will to mankind... I found my reason had been deceived and corrupted by the suggestions of an enemy..."
He joined the Methodist societies, and only reluctantly began exhorting and sharing what he learned. He felt a call to preach, but as he had a speech impediment, he was not sure how he would fare. The Methodists opened a small chapel nearby and he began to preach regularly. At the Conference of 1762, he went only with the intention of listening to the discussions, and spending some time with the preachers. As it turned out, his friends suggested him to the Conference as a preacher, and off he went!
Story died in 1818, and a friend said of him, "He was on old disciple, a faithful laborer in the Lord's vineyard. He continued to travel in various parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland."
He finished his career by being the head of the Methodist printing house-- back to his old work.
Just before he died, he said, "I feel Christ to be more precious to my soul than ever."
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, December 20, 2010
Richard Whatcoat, Methodist Preacher
Whatcoat was born in 1736. His father died while he was a child, leaving a widow and five children. At 13 years of age, he entered his apprenticeship, and was known for his piety, or at least, for his avoidance of open sin. It is interesting to note that he considered this as having "little religion;" for when he went to another job where the master had no religious life, Whatcoat left in fear that he would fall.
When he came to his new place of employment, he began to hear the Methodist preachers. One in particular seemed to speak directly to him concerning the fall of man, and Whatcoat fell under conviction of sin. "Though I believed all the Scripture to be of God, yet I had not the marks of a Christian believer. And I was convinced that if I died in the state I was in, I should be miserable forever. Yet I could not conceive how I that had lived sos sober a life could be the chief of sinners." [How true-- this is a huge battle for the church in the affluent world. We think we are basically ok, and Jesus will give us a little push to true righteousness...]
Whatcoat one day heard a testimony that gave him hope; someone said to him, "I know God for Christ's sake has forgiven all my sins, and His Spirit witnesses with my spirit that I am a child of God."
Whatcoat says that his previous life of avoiding open sin, what he called sobriety, was nothing but filthy rags. [For if all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, there is no remedy but grace.] On Spetember 3, 1758, as he was reading his bible, he seemed to hear a voice whisper to him that he should read no more, for the more he knew, the more he would be accountable to, and what if he knew the will of God and still did not follow it? But he kept on, and came to the words of the testimony he had heard, about the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God. "In the same instant, I was filled with unspeakable peace and joy in believing, and all fear of death and judgment and hell suddenly vanished away."
He has a word that I know speaks to me, and perhaps speaks to you, in the heady times after a dynamic conversion: "This joy and peace continued about three weeks, after which it was suggested to me, 'you have deceived yourself. How dare you think you are a child of God. And even if you are, this won't last. Your faith will fail.' This threw me into great confusion and heaviness, but it didn't last long. I dug deeper in to prayer and to reading and hearing the Word of God at all opportunities."
And as a good primitive Methodist preacher, Whatcoat has a word to say on perfection, being filled with the love of God. "Even though I was justified, I still find that I was not wholly sanctified... I paid more attention to the great and precious promises whereby we may escape the corruption of this world and be made partakers of the divine nature. I was much confirmed in my hope by hearing Mr. Mather speak often on the subject [PLEASE, METHODIST MINISTERS!! Speak often about being filled with love of God, the Second Blessing, Christian Perfection, Entire Sanctification. People are hungry for the truth of the Word!] I saw it was the mere gift of God, to be received by faith And after many sharp and painful conflicts, and many gracious visitations, on March 28, 1761, my spirit was drawn out and and engaged in wrestling with God for about two hours in a manner I never did before. Suddenly I was stripped of all but love, and prayer, and praise; and in this happy state, rejoicing evermore, and in everything giving thanks, I continued for some years, wanting nothing more for soul or body than I received from day to day.
With this powerful experience of the love of God for His creation, how could Whatcoat not want to share what he had found? Hed began to preach in the neighboring towns, exhorting people to repent and believe the good news. He did this for about 18 months, and then began to feel that he might be more useful as a travelling preacher. A little while later in 1769, he was accepted as a probationary preacher and assigned to his first circuit. In 1774, he was appointed to a circuit in Ireland. He had to count the cost-- not only his fear of sailing, but also that his mother was on her death-bed. But she fully supported and loved his work of preaching and so sent him away, not knowing if they would meet again on this side.
The Irish ministry was tough: "It took us eight weeks [to travel the circuit] and in that time we slept in nearly 50 different locations-- the ones that weren't cold were damp, and still others not very clean. We commonly preached 2-3 times per day, besides meeting the societies and visiting the sick, and we had no other food but potatoes and a little salt-meat." Whatcoat's health declined under this regimen, but 200 people were added to the rolls and many of them found salvation on Jesus' name.
Because of his declining health, Whatcoat had to quit preaching to recuperate. And he did recuperate; in 1784, Wesley sent Whatcoat to America with Thomas Vasey, Dr. Coke, and Francis Asbury. In 1800, Whatcoat was appointed Bishop with Asbury, because the fruit of Methodism was growing beyond what could be handled.
A convicting eulogy: "Whoever saw him light or trifling? Whoever heard him speak evil of anyone? Nay, hoever heard him speak an idle word? He was dead to envy, self-exaltation or praise; sober without sadness; cheerful without levity; careful without covetousness; and decent without pride. He died without enough money to pay the expenses of his sickness or funeral--if anyone had asked for payment!"
Richard Whatcoat died July 5, 1806 after a series of illnesses aggravated by his traveling laid him low.
When he came to his new place of employment, he began to hear the Methodist preachers. One in particular seemed to speak directly to him concerning the fall of man, and Whatcoat fell under conviction of sin. "Though I believed all the Scripture to be of God, yet I had not the marks of a Christian believer. And I was convinced that if I died in the state I was in, I should be miserable forever. Yet I could not conceive how I that had lived sos sober a life could be the chief of sinners." [How true-- this is a huge battle for the church in the affluent world. We think we are basically ok, and Jesus will give us a little push to true righteousness...]
Whatcoat one day heard a testimony that gave him hope; someone said to him, "I know God for Christ's sake has forgiven all my sins, and His Spirit witnesses with my spirit that I am a child of God."
Whatcoat says that his previous life of avoiding open sin, what he called sobriety, was nothing but filthy rags. [For if all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, there is no remedy but grace.] On Spetember 3, 1758, as he was reading his bible, he seemed to hear a voice whisper to him that he should read no more, for the more he knew, the more he would be accountable to, and what if he knew the will of God and still did not follow it? But he kept on, and came to the words of the testimony he had heard, about the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God. "In the same instant, I was filled with unspeakable peace and joy in believing, and all fear of death and judgment and hell suddenly vanished away."
He has a word that I know speaks to me, and perhaps speaks to you, in the heady times after a dynamic conversion: "This joy and peace continued about three weeks, after which it was suggested to me, 'you have deceived yourself. How dare you think you are a child of God. And even if you are, this won't last. Your faith will fail.' This threw me into great confusion and heaviness, but it didn't last long. I dug deeper in to prayer and to reading and hearing the Word of God at all opportunities."
And as a good primitive Methodist preacher, Whatcoat has a word to say on perfection, being filled with the love of God. "Even though I was justified, I still find that I was not wholly sanctified... I paid more attention to the great and precious promises whereby we may escape the corruption of this world and be made partakers of the divine nature. I was much confirmed in my hope by hearing Mr. Mather speak often on the subject [PLEASE, METHODIST MINISTERS!! Speak often about being filled with love of God, the Second Blessing, Christian Perfection, Entire Sanctification. People are hungry for the truth of the Word!] I saw it was the mere gift of God, to be received by faith And after many sharp and painful conflicts, and many gracious visitations, on March 28, 1761, my spirit was drawn out and and engaged in wrestling with God for about two hours in a manner I never did before. Suddenly I was stripped of all but love, and prayer, and praise; and in this happy state, rejoicing evermore, and in everything giving thanks, I continued for some years, wanting nothing more for soul or body than I received from day to day.
With this powerful experience of the love of God for His creation, how could Whatcoat not want to share what he had found? Hed began to preach in the neighboring towns, exhorting people to repent and believe the good news. He did this for about 18 months, and then began to feel that he might be more useful as a travelling preacher. A little while later in 1769, he was accepted as a probationary preacher and assigned to his first circuit. In 1774, he was appointed to a circuit in Ireland. He had to count the cost-- not only his fear of sailing, but also that his mother was on her death-bed. But she fully supported and loved his work of preaching and so sent him away, not knowing if they would meet again on this side.
The Irish ministry was tough: "It took us eight weeks [to travel the circuit] and in that time we slept in nearly 50 different locations-- the ones that weren't cold were damp, and still others not very clean. We commonly preached 2-3 times per day, besides meeting the societies and visiting the sick, and we had no other food but potatoes and a little salt-meat." Whatcoat's health declined under this regimen, but 200 people were added to the rolls and many of them found salvation on Jesus' name.
Because of his declining health, Whatcoat had to quit preaching to recuperate. And he did recuperate; in 1784, Wesley sent Whatcoat to America with Thomas Vasey, Dr. Coke, and Francis Asbury. In 1800, Whatcoat was appointed Bishop with Asbury, because the fruit of Methodism was growing beyond what could be handled.
A convicting eulogy: "Whoever saw him light or trifling? Whoever heard him speak evil of anyone? Nay, hoever heard him speak an idle word? He was dead to envy, self-exaltation or praise; sober without sadness; cheerful without levity; careful without covetousness; and decent without pride. He died without enough money to pay the expenses of his sickness or funeral--if anyone had asked for payment!"
Richard Whatcoat died July 5, 1806 after a series of illnesses aggravated by his traveling laid him low.
Friday, December 17, 2010
2010 Christmas Cards
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Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Salt of the Earth
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot" (Matthew 5:13)
In sermon 24 of the 52 sermons, Wesley reminds us of the interior work that the Beatitudes seek to do in us, and that this interior formation is the substance of our Christian character. He also reminds us that we are not to be totally withdrawn from the world, but that it is in our character to be "salty," to season that which is around us. "The Providence of God has mingled you together with other men, that you may share with others whatever grace you have received from God."
Following immediately on Jesus' words about sharing the grace we have received form God, Jesus shows us what happens to us when we do not share what we have received: "if the salt loses it's saltiness, it is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."
If you were holy, had your mind in heavenly things, and therefore did all the good you could, but you are no longer "salty," and therefore cannot impart the good things you have received from God to others...how can you be re-salted? You can't.
To those who have never tasted the goodness of God, He is indeed full of pity and mercy, but to those who have tasted and fallen away (John 15:2-6; Hebrews 6:4 ff) He is a god of Justice.
But who are the ones who lose their saltiness? Those who fall away completely, into apostasy. A believer may fall, even into sin, and rise again because "we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and He is the propitiation for our sins." But we really need to beware. It is one thing to sin and fall down, it is another to keep falling and finally fall away for good.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
In sermon 24 of the 52 sermons, Wesley reminds us of the interior work that the Beatitudes seek to do in us, and that this interior formation is the substance of our Christian character. He also reminds us that we are not to be totally withdrawn from the world, but that it is in our character to be "salty," to season that which is around us. "The Providence of God has mingled you together with other men, that you may share with others whatever grace you have received from God."
Following immediately on Jesus' words about sharing the grace we have received form God, Jesus shows us what happens to us when we do not share what we have received: "if the salt loses it's saltiness, it is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."
If you were holy, had your mind in heavenly things, and therefore did all the good you could, but you are no longer "salty," and therefore cannot impart the good things you have received from God to others...how can you be re-salted? You can't.
To those who have never tasted the goodness of God, He is indeed full of pity and mercy, but to those who have tasted and fallen away (John 15:2-6; Hebrews 6:4 ff) He is a god of Justice.
But who are the ones who lose their saltiness? Those who fall away completely, into apostasy. A believer may fall, even into sin, and rise again because "we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and He is the propitiation for our sins." But we really need to beware. It is one thing to sin and fall down, it is another to keep falling and finally fall away for good.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Feed The Hungry Shout Outs
This has been the most amazing year of feeding the hungry! I mean, when the Rock had no money, so many people came through so that not only did we NOT stop feeding the poor and hungry of Lexington, we did more of it! That is our Lord at work!
I can't tell you how incredible all the groups and agencies are! I am afraid I will leave someone out... if I do, please forgive me.
Jim Embry, who showed up at the beginning, and who thought before I did that this was more than just a garden on some empty lots.
The folks from First United Methodist-- their huge garden at Andover and how y'all keep me in "walking around money" to bless the poor! And extravagant generosity in mission giving! Thanks Paul and Teddy!
First Methodist's Andover campus-- for giving us space and running food drives. Thanks Lisa Michele and Todd!
The folks from Southern Hills United Methodist-- Mike and Marian Blodgett, Bill Moore, Dennis Burrows and John Hatton and all the folks that brought in food.
The folks at Seedleaf-- Ryan Koch (who has helped my family in ways you can't imagine) and Rebecca Self
John Walker
Erica Horne and the whole Faith Feeds group. Wow. You packed the halls of our church each Sunday! You guys can tell me more about all the various groups and farms that let you glean! It was amazing.
Bob McKinley from InFeed-- a gentle and encouraging man
Susan Bush from the Dept of Environmental Quality
Kate Black, my favorite librarian.
Berries on Bryan
This goofy idea that we can grow good food for hungry people introduced me to my wife, Jessica, in the garden. Biblical, isn't it?
So many folks at The Rock La Roca United Methodist Church, where I am privileged to pastor-- Martina Ockerman, Melissa Kramer, Larry and Ruth Stewart, Cleat Douglass, Beverly from-across-the-street Paul and Venus Bailey, Mama Itoula, David and Noella Mapigano, Osman Santos, Benjamin Marin Cruz, Miguel Mazariegos Chris Zoch, Matthew Highfill, Robert Highfill, Jimmy Kaindu-- notice how we all come together in the garden. Remember the words of the Revelation:
"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, down the middle of the great street of the city. One each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."
Last but not least, Farmer Pinky aka Shannon Baker, an old friend. Maybe 12 years now we've been friends, and for someone who has moved all the time, that's like family. Shannon is our farmer-in-residence, and is working all kinds of plans to expand this great work.
Please tell me if I forgot anyone and I will make amends!!
I can't tell you how incredible all the groups and agencies are! I am afraid I will leave someone out... if I do, please forgive me.
Jim Embry, who showed up at the beginning, and who thought before I did that this was more than just a garden on some empty lots.
The folks from First United Methodist-- their huge garden at Andover and how y'all keep me in "walking around money" to bless the poor! And extravagant generosity in mission giving! Thanks Paul and Teddy!
First Methodist's Andover campus-- for giving us space and running food drives. Thanks Lisa Michele and Todd!
The folks from Southern Hills United Methodist-- Mike and Marian Blodgett, Bill Moore, Dennis Burrows and John Hatton and all the folks that brought in food.
The folks at Seedleaf-- Ryan Koch (who has helped my family in ways you can't imagine) and Rebecca Self
John Walker
Erica Horne and the whole Faith Feeds group. Wow. You packed the halls of our church each Sunday! You guys can tell me more about all the various groups and farms that let you glean! It was amazing.
Bob McKinley from InFeed-- a gentle and encouraging man
Susan Bush from the Dept of Environmental Quality
Kate Black, my favorite librarian.
Berries on Bryan
This goofy idea that we can grow good food for hungry people introduced me to my wife, Jessica, in the garden. Biblical, isn't it?
So many folks at The Rock La Roca United Methodist Church, where I am privileged to pastor-- Martina Ockerman, Melissa Kramer, Larry and Ruth Stewart, Cleat Douglass, Beverly from-across-the-street Paul and Venus Bailey, Mama Itoula, David and Noella Mapigano, Osman Santos, Benjamin Marin Cruz, Miguel Mazariegos Chris Zoch, Matthew Highfill, Robert Highfill, Jimmy Kaindu-- notice how we all come together in the garden. Remember the words of the Revelation:
"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, down the middle of the great street of the city. One each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."
Last but not least, Farmer Pinky aka Shannon Baker, an old friend. Maybe 12 years now we've been friends, and for someone who has moved all the time, that's like family. Shannon is our farmer-in-residence, and is working all kinds of plans to expand this great work.
Please tell me if I forgot anyone and I will make amends!!
Monday, December 13, 2010
George Shadford, Methodist Preacher
Shadford was born in 1739, in Lincolnshire. As a young child, he says he was afraid of death, and felt himself prone to all kinds of wickedness-- he had a very tender conscience. While he was very disturbed by breaking the Sabbath by playing (at one point, even being chased by the parson!) he also did like to throw sticks and rocks at animals to harm them. So while we might say that sometimes he was too scrupulous about suspected wrong-doings, he was at times a real malefactor.
He performed all the outward duties of the Church of England-- saying set prayers morning and night; being confirmed by the Bishop, getting ready to take Communion. BUt he found that he did not have peace in his soul, either for forgiveness of sins, nor for power to resist temptation.
As young man, he joined the militia, something like the National Guard, not the full time British Army. He figured ot would be fun for an active and athletic man, and also be a little bit of income, with no real responsibilities to be away from home. Sadly for him, the French were actively trying to get Ireland to rebel, and landed a small force just as Shadford was in "basic training," and so he was marched off to Liverpool to get ready to embark for Ireland and war with France! He was really worried that he might be killed in battle having not found God.
He found his way to Methodist preaching because two attractive young ladies were going! After the sermon, he thought no more of the young women, but gave heed to the state of his soul.
The Irish-French matter was settled without Shadford even going to Ireland, and he was sent home, where he found that God had sent a Methodist farmer to his village, and the man was opening the farm to Methodist preaching. But within 2 months, Shadford was back to tricks. Soon enough, though, the Methodist farmer told Shadford that there would be preaching at his farm.
The preacher spoke to Shadford's heart, and he seemed to speak an invitation to follow Christ directly to Shadford. Soon enough, Shadford was in a Methodist Society, and would pray at meetings and even "give an exhortation," but he did not feel he was called to be a preacher.
Shadford began to have fruit in his exhorting, starting with his family. He began to be a regular preacher in Lincolnshire, and John Wesley asked if he would be an appointed travelling preacher. in 1768, Shadford left to preach in Cornwall.
In 1773, Shadford set sail, on Wesley's recommendation, to America, beginning his ministry in Philadelphia. He had ministry in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia.
As the Revolutionary forces were heating up, Shadford and other Methodists were in trouble: John Wesley was anti-revolution, and Shadford believed he could not go against the King, so he decided to go back to England.
From the eulogy of a colleague:"Mr. Shadford was free and generous. His little annual income, managed with a strict regard to economy, supplied his wants and left a portion for the poor and needy." see again that most Scriptural idea: to convince sinners they need the Lord, and to take care of the poor and needy! Let us never consider ourselves greater than our Master, but let us do as He did!
He performed all the outward duties of the Church of England-- saying set prayers morning and night; being confirmed by the Bishop, getting ready to take Communion. BUt he found that he did not have peace in his soul, either for forgiveness of sins, nor for power to resist temptation.
As young man, he joined the militia, something like the National Guard, not the full time British Army. He figured ot would be fun for an active and athletic man, and also be a little bit of income, with no real responsibilities to be away from home. Sadly for him, the French were actively trying to get Ireland to rebel, and landed a small force just as Shadford was in "basic training," and so he was marched off to Liverpool to get ready to embark for Ireland and war with France! He was really worried that he might be killed in battle having not found God.
He found his way to Methodist preaching because two attractive young ladies were going! After the sermon, he thought no more of the young women, but gave heed to the state of his soul.
The Irish-French matter was settled without Shadford even going to Ireland, and he was sent home, where he found that God had sent a Methodist farmer to his village, and the man was opening the farm to Methodist preaching. But within 2 months, Shadford was back to tricks. Soon enough, though, the Methodist farmer told Shadford that there would be preaching at his farm.
The preacher spoke to Shadford's heart, and he seemed to speak an invitation to follow Christ directly to Shadford. Soon enough, Shadford was in a Methodist Society, and would pray at meetings and even "give an exhortation," but he did not feel he was called to be a preacher.
Shadford began to have fruit in his exhorting, starting with his family. He began to be a regular preacher in Lincolnshire, and John Wesley asked if he would be an appointed travelling preacher. in 1768, Shadford left to preach in Cornwall.
In 1773, Shadford set sail, on Wesley's recommendation, to America, beginning his ministry in Philadelphia. He had ministry in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia.
As the Revolutionary forces were heating up, Shadford and other Methodists were in trouble: John Wesley was anti-revolution, and Shadford believed he could not go against the King, so he decided to go back to England.
From the eulogy of a colleague:"Mr. Shadford was free and generous. His little annual income, managed with a strict regard to economy, supplied his wants and left a portion for the poor and needy." see again that most Scriptural idea: to convince sinners they need the Lord, and to take care of the poor and needy! Let us never consider ourselves greater than our Master, but let us do as He did!
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