First Visit to Birmingham
Autobio- At the close of the year 1803, the Rev. James Bennett of Romsey gidphical Birmingham, on his wedding tour, having been invited at
the request of Mr Phipson, one of our members, who had often heard him preach, and much admired him. He remained here, I think, three Sabbaths, and produced so deep an impression by his preaching as to awaken an earnest desire to obtain him as the pastor of the church. A unanimous and most cordial invitation was sent to him, to which, after much deliberation, he returned a negative. On being asked if he knew any one who would suit the people, he mentioned me, in whom, for reasons formerly stated, he might be supposed to take some interest. As the midsummer vacation in the year 1804) drew on, my venerable tutor, who had been written to by the Birmingham friends about me, proposed that I should spend three or four Sabbaths at Birmingham during the approaching recess. I am a little surprised on many accoxmts that I should have consented. I had been at college only a year and a half; my stock of sermons was really very scanty, — and such sermons too! my age was only nineteen; my general knowledge most limited; so that I am now ready to exclaim, “Rash youth — bold, forward young man.” But it was of God. I had acquired from the beginning of my ministerial efforts a somewhat earnest manner, which covered a multitude of defects.
VISIT TO birmikgha:m.
My entrance to Birmingham was in a state of much mental per- Autobiotorbation; for, on leaving Gosport, I had forgotten to ask, and j)y.^p’-’^ Bogue to give me, any direction where I was to go when I arrived in this then large town. I knew nobody, and nobody knew me. It was most strange that this had not occurred to me, but it had not till the morning I left Bristol. However, my solicitude was soon relieved, for, on reaching the town, I was accosted by an individual who proved to be my first and one of my dearest friends through all my ministry, I mean Mr Phipsou. The people not ha-ving heard of or from me, knew not whenc.3 I was to come, or when, and had been in great perplexity, and through the whole of Saturday had sent to the various coach inns of the town. I should here remark that the thought, as far as I can now recollect, scarcely entered my head that I was going to Birmingham as a candidate. Consequences such as have resulted never rose before my mind. I was going to preach, and that was all. I was but little troubled then, as I have sadly been since, with nervous disorder. I thought less on Saturday night, and slept sounder than I do now when going to preach a Sabbath in a neighbouring town. I am afraid it was not so much the fervour of my piety and the simplicity of my confidence in God, as the thoughtlessness of youth.
My lodging was at the house of Mr Sargeant Taylor, in Great Charles Street, a kind, friendly, fatherly man of about sixty, with a wife earnestly devoted to acts of kindness to the sick; with two daughters at home, another at school, and a son, then either apprenticed or a shopman away from home. The habits of the family were plain and simple, but all the members of it were kind to me, and much devoted to my comfort. The good man was somewhat proud of his guest, and, as he was not very closely confined to business, devoted no small portion of time to shew me the town, and to introduce me to the various members of the congregation.
At the time of my arrival, the Baptist congregation in Cannon Street, to which the seraphic Samuel Pearce had ministered, was being rebuilt for his successor the Ptev. Thomas Morgan, and
LIFE OF JOHN ANGELL JAJfES.
Autnbio- during the time of carrying the work forward, the congregation was accommodated with the use of Carr’s Lane Chapel at nine in the morning, so that we went in almost as soon as they left the place, and usually met them as we went down the Lane. We worshipped again in the afternoon, and they had the place again in the evenipg.
I cannot forget the impression produced on my mind by the first view I had of my futare flock. The way to the pulpit was from the vestry through a door in the wall, so that I came at once upon the congregation without any preparation. There was no crowd to appal me, for in a place that with one gallery would seat about eight hundred persons, there were probably not more than a hundred and fifty, so that, in this respect, the sight was anything but encouraging; but what impressed me was the unusual number, in proportion, of venerable persons. There were nine or ten as respectable elderly gentlemen as are usually collected in a congregation several times the size. It looked like an assembly of the ancients. This a little appalled me, but I do not recollect that it discomposed me.
My first text was 1 John iii. 1, 2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God,” &c. First impressions are important to success, and those, I believe, were decidely in my favour. The subject was interesting, and as it was a sermon I had, of course, often preached before, I had it pretty much at command, and being self-possessed to an unusual degree for so young a man, I gained a lodgment in the hearts of the people from that morning. If I mistake not, my text in the afternoon was John i. 14, “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us,” &c. A bold and adventurous flight for so young a preacher! However, it proved me at once to be sound on the subject of Christ’s divinity, a truth dear to the minds and hearts of the pious. It is of great importance to young preachers to be thoroughly evangelical in their first essays at preaching. Philosophy will not be accepted as a substitute for theology by the people, and ought not to be offered by the preacher, especially if he be a young one.
Sabbath after Sabbath my congregation increased, for which I believe we were mainly indebted to our Baptist friends, who began
VISIT TO BIKMIXGHAJr. to hear it rumoured that the young student from Gosport was con- Autobiographical
sidered in the light of a candidate for the vacant pulpit. I do not distinctly recollect my first introduction to my friend Mr Morgan, the Baptist minister, or whether he was at home during my first visit..
It was impossible for me to be ignorant that my preaching had produced a very favourable impression, and I was requested to prolong my stay another Sabbath, which I consented to do. By this time I was, by my good host, who squeezed my hand, screwed up his mouth, and looked smilingly upon me, let into the secret that the people wished me to become their minister. As far as I can recall my feelings and views, I was not much elated, though perhaps somewhat surprised.
I was to leave Birmingham on the Monday after my last Sabbath, and a chm-ch-meeting was therefore called after the afternoon service, to consider the propriety of inviting me to become their pastor, when a resolution was unanimously and cordially carried to that efiect, and a deputation, consisting of the four deacons and three other persons, was appointed to convey to me, at Mr Taylor’s, the call of the church.
It was a rather peculiar and striking scene, and a trial of his humility, to see the youth of nineteen surrounded by seven venerable men, who were tendering to him the oversight of their own souls and that of the church which they represented. It was a moment in my existence of greater solemnity and responsibility than, I fear, I then felt it to be; a moment on which were suspended issues that will affect multitudes of immortal souls through eternal ages. It was an impressive interview. I expressed my favourable disposition to accede to their wishes; in short, my acceptance of this verbal invitation, subject to the approval of my tutor, as to the time when I should be allowed to leave Gosport and settle in Birmingham. With this understanding, I parted from the friends at Carr’s Lane, and returned into Dorsetshire for a few days, before I went again to college. AU this was enough to corrupt the mind of a youth who had been only a year and a half at his studies: but I believe, as far as I can recollect, I was kept by Divine grace from being unduly lifted up by the new situation
LIFE OF JOHN ANGELL JAMES.
Aiitobio- in which I was placed. I consider it a proof of God’s special ’ grace to me, that I was not allowed to become elated, vain, conceited and self-confident. I was mercifully preserved from moral injury.
Editorial. Those who are unacquainted with the principles and usages of Independent churches will have inferred from the autobiographical narrative, that every church, by which is meant the society of communicants, appoints its own pastor. No minister of state, no patron, no external ecclesiastical power, is permitted to interfere. Neither the trustees in whom the church buildings are vested, nor those seat-holders who are not communicants, have any right either to nominate a minister, or to place a veto on his appointment. It is a fundamental principle of the Independent polity, that since every church, if devout and humble, may rely on the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in all its meetings, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all its ecclesiastical afi”airs, it does not require, and should firmly decline control from without. Friendly suggestion and fraternal counsel are gratefully listened to, but authoritative interference is resolutely resisted.
Mr James’s settlement in Birmingham will be further illustrated by the following extracts from the Carr’s Lane “Church Book.” Under the year 1804; there are the following very interesting entries: —
“September 16. — At a church-meeting held this day, it was resolved, ‘That the Rev. J. A- James having preached to this society four Lord’s days with very great acceptance, Messrs Rogers, Tutin, Cocks, Taylor, and Frears be appointed a deputation to inform Mm that it is the unanimous wish of this meeting that he would come as soon a.5 opportunity would allow, and exercise his ministry among us.”
“September 23. — At a church-meeting, the deputation appointed at the last meeting to wait upon Mr James reported that his answer was favourable, and that he expressed great affection for the people.
“Resolved unanimously. That the request made to Mr James, conformably to the resolution of the last church-meeting, be transmitted to him in writing, as being more orderly and more respectful. A letter being laid before the meeting, it was approved.”
CHUKCH OF CHRIST MEETING IN CAEB’s LANE, BIRMINGHAM, TO
THE BEV. J. A. JAMES, WISH EVEEY BLESSING, TEMPORAL AND
SPIRITUAL.
“Dear Sib, — After the conversation you had with our deputies in this place it may seem almost unnecessaiy to address you by letter, but we feel ourselves urged thereto by a regard to order in our proceedings, and by that respect which, we trust, it will ever be our study to shew you.
“We bless the Great Head of the Church, to whom all events are known, and who sees the end from the beginning, that He has designed to favour you with such abilities for the ministry, and we hope with a view that you should exercise that ministry in Birmingham. We have been long praying, and we hope sincerely, that God would in His providence direct us to such a man as He would own and bless among us, for the conversion of sinners, the edification of His saints, and the buUding up of the Church in this place in particular; and we cannot help thinking that your being sent among us was in answer to our prayers.
“If the utmost unanimity on our part, and a favourable regard to us on yours, be evidences that the work is of God, we must consider them as indications of His will that you should labour in this part of His vineyard. There is here much to be done. The field is large and white for the harvest.
“While here, you must have observed a spirit of hearing in many who are not of our congregation, and we hope and trust that if God shall settle you in this place it will be followed by the conviction and sound conversion of many. Yet we would bear on our minds the important truth that ministers are only instruments, and that the success of a Paul or an Apollos depends entirely upon God. For His influence we shall daily supplicate the throne of grace, and if our prayers be heard, we have no doubt but that you and we shall rejoice together, and see the work of the Lord prospering in your hands.
“We do, therefore, most cordially and unanimously request that yon will come as soon as you can with propriety, and exercise your ministry among us; and we sincerely hope a connexion will be established between us which vsdll never be broken till your great Master shall call you from all your labours to receive your gracious reward.
“Signed at the unanimous request of the church-meeting by
S. TUTIN,
“BiRMiNaHAM, September 23, 1804.”
LIFE OF JOHN ANGELL JAIVIES.
Mr James addressed a letter, dated October 13, to the church, requesting a little longer time for his final answer to their invitation.
Early in 1 805 another church-meeting was held, and the following minute was recorded: —
“Mr James addressed a letter to the church, of which the following is a copy, giving his acceptance of their invitation: —
“TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, MEETING IN CARR’S LANE, BIRMINGHAM, J. A. JAMES WISHES EVERY BLESSING, BOTH TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL.
“jIy DEAR Brethren, — When I look back upon the past, and forward to the future years of my life, I contemplate or imagine a variety of events truly interesting and important. But neither a review of past occurrences, nor the anticipation of future things, exhibits events of my Ufe attended with more important circumstances than my visit to Birmingham. When the proposal was made to me to preach to you for three Sabbaths, I acceded to it without the most distant idea of -s-isiting you as a candidate to fill your vacant pulpit; and after having finished the time at first proposed, I should have crushed that idea as vain and presumptuous, which would have led me to think of Birmingham as the destined field of my labours, had not your oto intimations led me to view it as possible, if not probable.
“From the many distinguished marks of esteem and alfection which I received from you as a church and as hidividuals, from the cordiahty which prevailed among you during my stay, and from the many intima- 1 ions I received that my labours were not altogether unacceptable, I began to suspect that the eyes of the church were fixed on me as a person to whom you could commit the care of your immortal souls. This was put beyond a matter of doubt in my mind, by the personal interview which I had with your deputies the night previous to my departure from Birmingham, who expressed a unanimous invitation to me from the church to settle among you as your minister. In addition to this, you thought it advisable, from a respect to order, to send me a written invitation, directed to Gosport: this I consider another among the many tokens of regard which you have already shewn me. I should have felt happy if I had left you praying for my welfare. I should have esteemed myself honoured, if, on parting from you, a desire had been expressed to see me at any future period when I should be called in providence that way. It would have increased my happiness, and conferred an honour upon
VISIT TO BIEMlXGHAAr. me if J’our nffoctiou and esteem had gone thus far only: but you have proceeded to greater lengths.
“After the most mature deUberation, the most ardent prayer for direction, you have seen fit to call me as the minister under whom you could AviUingly and readily sit to hear the everlasting gospel preached. I trust, brethren, that I am not insensible to the distinguished honour you confer upon mc in judging me to be quahfied to act in that capacity; but may I not consider it also as a mark of the approbation of the Great Head of the Church 1 ]Iay I not listen to your call as the medium through which He speaks, ‘Son, go work in my vineyard ]’ You have ah-eady received one reply to your invitation. In that letter, though I begged to postpone my final answer till some future time, I gave a specimen of my sentiments: I made you acquamted with my feelings and views, that your minds might not be ignorant of the state of mine. I now once more address you, to give you my decided answer to yom- important question, and be assured that it is not given till after the most serious examination of my heart, the minutest investigation of my jJrinciples, and the most earnest pi’ayer to Infinite Wisdom for guidance and direction. Conscious, therefore, of my own weakness, yet depending upon Him who is omnipotent, sensible of my own inabihty and insufficiency, yet relying upon the promise of Him who hath said, ’ Liv grace shall be sufficient for thee,’ I venture to express my acceptance of your unanimous call, and now declare my compliance with your coi-dial invitation to settle among you as your minister, as soon as cu-cumstances will allow me to depart from the academy.
“I left it entirely to you whether you chose to fix on a limited time as a further time of probation. This you have seen proper to decline. Prudence will therefore direct us as to the future proceedings, and shew us when the proper time is come which should complete our connexion — a connexion which I now consider as really established. On which may the Great Head of the Church smile vdth. approbation! In which may both minister and people enjoy solid, lasting, and increasing delight! To the commencement of which may hundreds look back with unutterable joy, through the revolution of eternal ages!
“Suffer me now to rejoice with you, my dear brethren, in the prospect of a speedy close to your trials and distresses as a Chi-istian society. The storm has spent its force, and I trust will be succeeded by a lasting calm. With the strongest faith let us believe that these tilings will ultimately prove for the furtherance of the gospel. Place them among the ‘all things’ which ‘work together for your good.’ Let us rejoice that though in the present state of imperfection we are unable to explore the mysteries of Providence, yet what we know not now we shall know hereafter; and under all our affiictions let us bear this thought in our
LIFE OF JOHN ANGELL JAMES.
minds, that whether God thunder in a storm by His providence, or speak by the still small voice of His Spirit, He is the same immutable Jehovah, the Head of the Church, the Father of His people, the Friend of the distressed, and the Hearer of prayer.
“Pardon me, my brethren, if I suggest a hint, or rather express a wish, that the past unhappy circumstances of the church be so forgotten as not to be the frequent topic of discourse; this would be a stumbUngblock in the way of your minister’s happiness, and would much interrupt that composure of mind which the affairs of the church, the good of your souls, and his own comfort so much require. Let us lose the past in the prospect of the future. Let us pray for success to attend the gospel, by whomsoever or wheresoever preached, so that in all God may be glorified.
“Let me now ask for your ardent, constant prayers at a throne of grace. Pray for me in the church, pray for me when around your family altars, wrestle with God for me in secret. Without much prayer to God I can expect but little pleasure in my work — you but little edification or comfort from it. Be assured I cease not to make mention of you when I bend my knees before the throne of God, praying that God would bless you with His presence as a society, pour His blessings on your families, and His blessings on your own souls. May God meet vnth you when you meet for worship, and your daily intercoiu-se with each other. Such, my dear brethren, are the constant prayers of your devoted servant in the Lord Jesus,
“J. A. James.
“GosroRT, January 11, 1805.”
The following letter to his friend Mr Samuel Cocks bears the same date, and was accompanied by one to the young people of the congregation.
“TO MR SAMUEL COCKS, JUNIOK.
“GOSPOET, January 11, 1805.” My deae Friend, — How do you account for my long sUence 1 Do you imagine that the articles of letter- writing are scarce? that an embargo is laid on the post-office? or that I have forgotten you 1 Do you ever thus conjecture? If you do, your conjectures, I assure you, are unfounded. But I ‘U tell you the reason I have been so long sUent. So many friends have been teazing me on all sides — their demands have been so large for letters — that I have been nearly a bankrupt; and in fact, I have played the rogue with some of them, and cheated them of their due: but with you I shall be honest; you shall be paid your debt; to defraud you of a letter, would be dishonest and ungrateful indeed. Pardon me, my friend, for thus giving loose to nonsense — I assure you, it is friendly nonsense — cover it with the veil of love.
“With what regret do I exchange a fiersonal interview with my dear friends at Birmingham, for epistolary converse! The prospect of seeing you at Christmas had cheered many a gloomy hour. When present scenes were barren of joy, and jdelded no delight, this future prospect was always a resource; the prospect of conversing and praying with you, of exhorting you from the pulpit, never failed to give me pleasure. But that God who does all things well, who giiideth all the affairs of men, had determined otherwise. What a blessing to man is ignorance of futurity! How would the foresight of future sorrows increase their weight — the foresight of future pleasures, in the prospect of their close, decrease their joy! Little was it in my mind, when I parted from you, that I was shortly to have the bitter cup of affliction put into my hand to drink to its very dregs. So sure is it that we know not what a day or an hour may bring forth. How necessary then, by an interest in Christ, to prepare for all that we may be called to meet vnth! How soon may we from the highest pinnacle of earthly comfort be plimged into the lowest extremity of woe and distress. But the Christian, with revelation in his hand, and the grace of God in his heart, can smile at affliction. “When he has least of earth, he often has most of heaven. “While storms and clouds may hover and beat upon his clay tabernacle, his soul, like some tall cliff stretching its head above these clouds, has sunshine on its top. O my friend, it is sweet to be afflicted when J esus is with us; it is pleasant to endure pain when supported by His arms, when the angel of His presence is with us, when we consider that these light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of gloiy.
“I now begin to look forward to the period when I shall come among you; the time hastens on. Oh, could you read the feelings of my heart, and there see the confusion of various passions; the mixture of joy, hope, dread, fear, and comfort, what a scene would you discover! Could I persuade myself that I was fit for such a situation; could I entertain the idea that I could feed sucn a flock, and lead them to green pastures, where they might lie down beside the stUl waters, — with what delightful anticipation should I look forward to the period! Still I comfort myself with the consideration that God is all-sufficient. Here is all my comfort, — here is comfort enough for one, whose difficulties are a thousand times more than mine, — ‘Why then art thou cast down, O my soul 1 Hope thou in God; /or I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance.’
LIFE OF JOHN ANGELL JAMES.
“You mentioned in your letter that you do not promise me that I am going to a land flowing with milk and honey. I expect no such land this side Jordan; but I rejoice that I have the prospect of settUng where the power of religion appears to be felt. On you, my dear friend, with the other young people, I look with the most heai’tfelt joy, — you are to support me in future Ufe. Did I not perceive the young inclined to remember their Creator in the days of their youth, how should I fear lest the church would expire with its aged members! But, blessed be God, ye are rising to call the Redeemer blessed.
“I seem to rejoice with you in the prospect that your distresses as a church are nearly at an end; that the wounds are nearly healed; that the disadvantages which you the young people, especially, have laboured under, are nearly closed; and should a union betwixt us take place, and should that union meet with the approbation of the Head of the Church, what happiness may we not expect, what blessings may we not anticipate, mutually striving for each other’s happiness and comfort, the minister for the people, the people for the minister! God will not, cannot withhold His blessing.
“I trust, my dear friend, that reUgion is flourishing in your soul, that you are growing in grace. Go on, and may the Lord prosper you. May you feel Christ increasingly precious in all His offices, in all His relations, and at all times. May you be blessed in your soul, your family, your worldly concerns. May God smile upon you, and then you must be happy.
“Do not forget me, when retired from the world, when you pour out your heart in secret, and He will reward you openly. My time and paper admonish me to conclude.”
“TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE CONGEEGATION WORSHIPPING AT
CAER’s lane, BIRMINGHAM.
“My DEAR Young Friends, — Impressed with the tenderest concern for your spiritual and eternal welfare, a concern which language cannot express, I am induced to intmde a few Lines upon your attention, which, should they not convey all the instruction and advice which might be given by one older in years, wisdom, and experience than myself, -wall express the afi’ection of a heart wholly devoted to your best interest.
“You are aware that it was my intention to have visited you at this season of the year; but that God, who draws the line of our habitation, had otherwise determined; and now, instead of the pulpit, I address you from my study.
“With a pleasure I cannot express, I reflect upon that moment when rpar acquaintance first commenced — an acquaintance wliicli I trust the Lapse of time ■nill ripen into the purest and closest friendship. But I do not consider you merely in the Ught of friends, but also as fellow-Christians. Many of you I trust have passed from death unto life, and are directing your faces Zion-ward, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Happy, glorious choice!
“The advantages of such a choice, in the early part of life, are immensely great and numerous. To cite them all would be a trespass on your patience, a reflection on your judgment; for ye must be sensible that the morning of life is productive of a thousand advantages to a religious course, which are ended by the shadows of evening. It was the saying of a good old man, that if it were lawful to envy any, he should be incUned to envy those who remembered their Creator in the days of their youth.
“Most of you are the children of pious parents; for you ten thousand prayers have ascended before the throne of God, prayers as constant as the morning and evening. How does your father wish for David’s blessing! — a son growing up like a plant in his youth, to whom he might say when he is called to close his eyes on earth and earthly things, ‘I go the way of all flesh, but I know that thou art a wise man, and knowest the things that thou oughtest to do.’ How does a tender mother wrestle with God for your salvation! Refresh the bowels of your parents by an attention to divine tilings now, while their instructions drop down upon you like the eai-ly dew. How will it refresh their hearts to behold you growing in grace as you grow in days and j’ears! What an additional relish will it give to all their exercises of devotion, if they behold you giving yourselves up to the Lord in youth! With what comfort will they go up to the house of the Lord in company with a child who is saying, ‘I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go up to the courts of the house of God!’ Their family altar will acquii-e a fresh delight when they behold you engaged in pouring out your soul in unison -^ith them; they will enter their closets with fresh joy when they carry with them this reflection, that their son, their daughter, is prajdng, ‘My Father, be Thou the guide of my youth.’ Shall not these considerations, my dear young friends, operate upon our minds 1 Shall we not be induced to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness’? Shall we not remember our Creator in the days of our youth 1 Where shall we seek for happiness equal to that residting from joy and peace in believing in Christ? Does the world, does Satan, do your own hearts say that religion is melancholy, gloomy? Deny the charge; for if the Word of God be true, if there be anything in the experience of ten millions of saints, Wisdom’s ways are ways of
LIFE OF JOHN ANGELL JAMES.
ijleasaiitness, and all her paths, paths of peace. Do you feel Satan suggesting the idea, that by becoming serious you will become the objects of ridicule 1 and are you inclined sometimes to give way to the temptation 1 What! shall a sneer — a cavil — the charge of hypocrisy, Methodism, or enthusiasm, keep you from God 1 affright you from the cross of Christ 1 Where is the reason, the magnanimity of that mind which will sufler its conviction to be either sacrificed or shaken by a jest? Shall the broad laugh of a fool be a stumbling-block in your way i Hear the words of Christ — ‘Whosoever is ashamed of me before men, of him will I be ashamed before my Father and his holy angels.’ But I hope better things of you — things accompanying salvation. I trust you are taking up the cross. Go on, and may the Lord bless you. Turn your back on the vanities of the world. ‘Come out from among them, and be ye separate. Touch not the unclean thing, saith the Lord.’ Be constant in your attendance on the means of grace. Be much in prayer, meditation, and reading the Scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation. Be constantly looking by faith to Christ as the Saviour of sinners. Pray for the Spirit of grace to work in you the good pleasure of God. With what comfort ■wiU your venerable parents and elders look upon you rising to fill their jilaces! and, oh, with what joy will your minister behold his infant church! When standing over the grave of your parents, he will not sorrow as one without hope, he will not think that he has buried the church in the tomb of its aged members, he will not despair; you will cheer his mind, you are coming forward to hold up his hands, to be his friends, to assist him in the affairs of the church. My brothers, my sisters, God is my record how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of the Lord Jesus: my heart’s desire and prayer for you is, that you may be saved. For you I bend my knees at a throne of grace, — for you my warmest prayers ascend, that God would confirm you in the faith, preserve you from all the snares to which your age peculiarly exposes you. May you rise respectable, valuable, and experienced members of the Church of God! May you grow up as the cedars of Lebanon, when your parents shall be laid in the silent tomb; and when ripe for glory, may you be transplanted to the paradise of God as trees of immortal life, and flourish in everlasting verdure through a thousand generations.
“May I beg an interest in your prayers. Bear me on your minds at a throne of grace; there wrestle with God for me in secret, that I may be prepared for the proper discharge of the work which is before me, whether I labour among you or in any other part of Chiist’s vineyard. Be assured you lie very near my heart. You have a large share of the prayei-3 of him who with joy subscribes himself, your most aftectionate friend and devoted servant in Christ,
“J. A. James.
“GOSPORT, January 1805.”
There was some thought about the desirableness of Mr James’s attendino; the classes at the University of Glasgow during the winter of 1805-6; but the circumstances of the congregation rendered it, on the whole, inexpedient; and accordingly, having paid his people another visit in the early summer of 1805, and finished his short course at Gosport a few weeks later, the young minister finally settled in Birmingham, at the beginning of September.
The strong affection which, from the very first, he felt for his church, is strikingly shewn, though with some juvenUe peculiarities of expression, in a letter he wrote to his friend Mr Samuel Cocks, immediately after the summer visit just referred to, and before he finally left Gosport.
“Did you not think me the verj’ essence of weakness when I parted from you? A thousand times before the same dagger had pierced my soul. Farewell has ever been Like an an-ow shot through my heart; but that morning fresh barbs seemed given it. I have parted from my jjareuts, my friends, but that day I parted from mij people, if I may yet call them so. I had taken sweet counsel with them as Christians, we had walked to the house of God in company; I felt my affections riveted to that society in which I had laboured, and to which I was looking forward as the persons who were about to commit the charge of their immortal souls to me. The frailty of human life seemed to whisper in my ear, ‘You will never be permitted to return to them again.’ The imcertainty of all things here made it possible that I should find some of you missing when I returned. These and a thousand other things pressed -with all their weight on my mind.”
In the same letter he speaks of the apprehension with which he anticipated the duties of the ministry. It was not with mere boyish ardour that he was looking forward to his escape from the restraints of college and the commencement of his ministry. “Ah! my dear friend,” he exclaims,” could you tell
LIFE OF JOHN ANGELL JAMES.
what are my feelings in the prospect of this important undertaking, you would be almost inclined to pity me.” Yet he knows that God will be his wisdom and strength. God has given His people the promise of His support, and not only so, but has confirmed it with an oath, giving us, as he quaintly puts it, “a rock for each foot to stand upon, a holdfast for both hands to cleave to.”
The following letter was written to his father at the same time; —
“GosPORT, June 15, 1805.
“Dear Father, — I have been loaded, I doubt not, with a thousand censures by every branch of the family, for not wi-iting to you before. Indeed, it was my intention to have sent you a letter immediately on my return from Birmingham, but .... not a spare moment has passed which could have been occupied in writing to Blandf ord. Never since I came to Gosport have I been so busy as the last fortnight. Things are now come nearly to a close at Gosport, and, I assure you, work increases with me as fast as time diminishes, I need not inform you that I returned safe from the North. I left my friends at Birmingham quite well, with the promise of returning to them the latter end of August, so that my time in this part of the country -nill be exceedingly short. Our vacation commences the beginning, I think about the first week in August. A fortnight, therefore, at most, is all I shall be able to be with you at Blandford, as I shall be under the necessity of being a week in London to purchase books.
“Nothing was fixed respecting my journey to the North, that is Scotland. The most respectable, at least some of them, of the congregation were of opinion that I should go, and spoke decidedly in favour of it; others said it could not be determined at present, till we see how the Baptists will be situated this -winter, or rather next. All circumstances taken into consideration, great as the advantages would be to me, I think I shall be obliged to rehnquish them, as it is likely the Baptists will be in their new place before Christmas.
“Nothing was said concerning my salary by Mr Frears, at whose house I was visiting. The evening before we parted, he expressed his surprise that nothing had been said by the church relative to that subject. He was speaking of the sum they gave Mr Berry, which was one hundred pounds per annum; but he said that would be no criterion for their conduct towards me; and he frankly acknowledged that was not enough, nor did they intend to confine themselves to such a sum. I told him freely, that I thought from such a congregation the sum was too little, considering the present state, or rather price, of provisions, books, <fec.
VISIT TO BIESnXGHA^r.
I expect to receive a letter with proposals, either from Mm individually or from the church, very shortly, which I shall not answer myself, as Mr Bogue has engaged to settle that with them. I think my letter from Birmingham was written before our church-meeting for the addition of members. I think it was the most solemn, yet most delightful occasion I ever witnessed in my life. We received fourteen members, which raises the number of our members to about fifty-five — no inconsiderable church. The last evening I preached, I addressed the young; and as I gave notice of it the Sabbath before, we had a most crowded auditory. The meeting and aisles were quite crammed by half-past six o’clock”
In reviewing the matter from this distance, and even with the Autobioknowledge of the blessed issues that have resulted from that*^^“*^” visit, and the invitation and acceptance to which it led, I cannot justify, but must condemn the precipitancy of the church. The impoi’tance of the station in the midst of a town that is the metropolis of a mighty district — the delicate relation of the church to the large and powerful body that had seceded from it — the smallness of the congregation, which required something extraordinary in the pulpit to relive it — the youthfulness of the preacher — the shortness of the time he had been at college — the immatimty of his mind and studies, — all rendered it a hasty and injudicious procedure, to invite him at once to be their pastor. The utmost that prudence would have justified, was to have invited him upon another probationary term. There is no doubt, however, that the finger of God directed, and blessed be His holy name for the great and glorious results that have followed.
;My first labours in Birmingham were comparatively light, in consequence of their being shared with and by ]Ir Morgan, the Baptist minister, whose congregation was united with ours; and yet the necessity, even in this mitigated service, of composing two sermons a week, with other duties in such a public situation, kept up a pressure upon my time, and left me comparatively little for improving my mind and adding to my stock of knowledge. I now deeply regret much misspent time, and greatly deplore that I did not, from the commencement of ministerial Life, acquire the habit of early rising. Oh, what time I have slept away and for
F
lIFE OF JOHN ANGELL JAMES.
Autobio- ever lost! Not that I was a late riser; my time through life has graphical. nominally seven o’clock, and has ranged from that to eight;
but this is too late for one who would attain to excellence and eminence; and I therefore most earnestly enjoin all young persons to form the habit of quitting their chambers not later than six.
I cannot say that I was a very diligent student on my entrance upon the ministry. I was not, ’tis true, a loiterer or saunterer, but my reading was desultory, for want of a wise and settled plan. I am persuaded that young ministers need a guide through the first two or three years of their ministry, as much as they do at college; and it should be an object with their tutors before they finish their curriculum to give them some directions as to the manner of carrying on their mental improvement when they have entered upon their pastoral occupation.