Vol 2, pages 1-100 - My Primitive Methodist Ancestors

32 PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.
numbers the missionaries got to hear them, and with the almost entire absence of
persecution. At Bolton at the stocks and in the wood-yard where the first services
were held, at Ashton Town Cross, at Astley, at Oldham. in fact wherever the
missionaries went, they had no difficulty in gathering congregations. In the estimates
of numbers given the word thousands occurs much more frequently than hundreds.
" " Preach !
preach was the ! cry raised at Ashton Cross when, for a moment, the
backslidden constable had silenced "Walton Carter. The people were hungry for the
Word and would not be denied, so that Carter had to gather himself together and
preach, despite his torn coat and the constable's threats. Here too, as elsewhere,
facts go to show that the hymns the missionaries sang counted for much in making
PREACHING AT BOLTON MARKET CROSS IN THE OLDEN TIME.
their street-missioning and open-air services acceptable
and effective. Our fathers knew the power there is in
a taking melody, and were not slow to avail themselves of
this power. Like William Jefferson, they did not see why
the devil should have all the best tunes, and so did
their best to carry off the " spoil.
The Lion of Judah "
was only one of many tunes thus requisitioned. One
evening, when the eccentric Henry Higgenson was on his
way to a tea meeting at Walsall, he heard a lad singing
a song which attracted him. " Here, my lad, sing that
again, and I'll give thee a penny." The lad did as he
REV. HENRY HIGGENSON. was told, more than once.
" Here you are,, my man," said
Higgenson, throwing him the "
penny ; I've got the tune, and the devil may take the