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

More documents

Recommendations

Info

82 PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. pulpit which attracted the attention of men and made him popular. Many of the well-known incidents associated with his name occurred during his term of labour in Ripon and its various branches, which term was remarkable for a great revival of religion one that was not restricted to a few places but spread over nearly the whole Circuit. New societies were raised in several places, and others that had seriously declined were revived. It was just after this revival that the Circuit was formed into branches. In 1837, Mr. Spoor was appointed to labour on the Thirsk and Bedale Mission. At the village of Langthorne the outlook was at first exceedingly unpromising. But he was told there was hope for the place if only John Hobson, the tallest man in the village, could be won for Christ. Thereupon Mr. Spoor and his colleague. W. Fulton, covenanted to pray at a given hour each day for the conversion of this village champion and son of Anak. Shortly after this, John Hobson was drawn by some irresistible influence to a service conducted by Mr. Spoor. Unmistakably enough it was he; for, like Saul, he towered head and shoulders above the rest. John Hobson was converted and became the leader and staunch supporter of the village society. In December, 1837, Mr. Spoor was appointed to open a Mission at Boroughbridge. It was while preaching on a village-green near this old town that he had his encounter with the Anglican priest who in his wrath threatened to stop him. To this Mr. " Spoor replied There : are several ways of stopping you, but there's only one way of stopping me. Take away your gown, and you dare not preach take ; a\vay your book, and you cannot preach ; and take away your rich income, and you won't preach ; while the only way to stop me is by cutting out my tongue." Of course the retort was not original ; but it leaped forth on occasion like a trenchant impromptu and shows the readiness of the man. JOSEPH SPOOR. Mr. Spoor and Fulton were dragged before the magistrates by an officious policeman for a service which they held in Ripon Market-place. say they were to be sent to prison. the sake of the Gospel and shouted : " Glory be to God ! It seemed that despite all they might Spoor rejoiced at the opportunity of suffering for " the ' kittie ' for Christ ! but a prominent citizen came into Court, expostulated with the magistrates and put a new face on the matter. It is said that a long and able letter appeared in the newspaper insisting upon the right to conduct worship in the open air, and reflecting upon the conduct of the policeman and the magistrates, and that the letter was from the pen of Dr. Longley, then Bishop of Ripon, and afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury. But, to our thinking, an incident narrated by Rev. C. C. McKechnie shows Mr. Spoor in a still more attractive light. Mr. McKechnie had as a lad of seventeen just arrived from his distant home in Paisley to begin his labours in the Ripon Circuit. Rather cruelly, his superintendent had made him preach in the city on the very evening
THE PERIOD OF CIRCUIT PREDOMINANCE AND ENTERPRISE. 83 as he sat of his arrival, and the service had been to him a trying one. The next day in his lodgings he was much cast down. The rest of the story shall be told in Mr. McKechnie's own words : ' ' Something like despair settled upon me, and it seemed to grow thicker and faster. In the early afternoon, as I sat in my room brooding over the past, present and future, I wrote all sorts of bitter things against myself for having ventured upon such an enterprise, so unfurnished for my work, and so ignorant of what I was doing. Whilst thus depressed and desponding the tears coursing down my cheeks, my room-door opened, and Mr. Joseph Spoor walked in. And here let me say with thankfulness, his coming was like the visit of an angel of God. His presence brought a blessing with it. A more peaceful, spiritual, brotherly face MARKET-PLACE, KIPON. I had never looked upon, and the tones of his voice had a healing and reviving influence upon my poor bruised heart. He seemed to comprehend my case in a moment. I cannot express the fulness and sweetness of his sympathy, or the gentle but effectual way in which he swept away my brooding fears. ' Oh, dear, no ! I had no reason to be despondent that was the work of ; the enemy. I might be sure my way would brighten. Get on ? Oh, yes I would get on beyond ! doubt. I must look up and trust and pray and work, and all would turn out well. I would meet with many kind-hearted people who would help and cheer me in every way.' With such words as these, backed by a few mighty words of prayer, Mr. Spoor exorcised the evil spirit, and left me a new man. Yes ; I may truly say I was made a new man ; a new life inspired me. I now felt ashamed of my F2
Page 5:
THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE PRIMI
Page 9 and 10:
PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. VOL. II
Page 11 and 12:
THE PERIOD OF CIRCUIT PREDOMINANCE
Page 13 and 14:
Page 15 and 16:
Page 17 and 18:
Page 19 and 20:
Page 21 and 22:
Page 23 and 24:
Page 25 and 26:
Page 27 and 28:
Page 29 and 30:
Page 31 and 32:
Page 33 and 34:
Page 35 and 36:
Page 37 and 38:
Page 39 and 40: THE PERIOD OF CIRCUIT PREDOMINANCE
Page 51 and 52: THE PEEIOD OF CIRCUIT PREDOMINANCE
Page 61 and 62: THE PEEIOD OF CIRCUIT PREDOMINANCE
Page 89: THE PERIOD OF CIRCUIT PREDOMINANCE
show all

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

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?