Putting on the Armour

The Rev. Dr. Bogue is identified with the earliest movements of the London Missionary Society. Several of his appeals through the public press contributed more than any other single cause to the concentration of the energies of thousands of good men, which issued in the formation of that institution.

For several years prior to the commencement of its work, he had united to his pastoral duties the task of educating young men for the home ministry, and the early candidates for missionary labour were naturally added to the number of his students. His masterly understanding, early academic training, and ardent zeal, well qualified him for such a position. His own capacity for labour, indeed, was so vast, that he often over-taxed the powers of his pupils; but they seldom failed to acquire sound habits of thought, a thorough acquaint-

ance with the Bible, and intense thirst for usefulness.

“The whole morning,” says Dr. Bennct, in describing the course of instruction, “was sometimes given to prayer and other devotional exercises, to prepare for a new session, or to implore the Divine blessing upon those who were going forth to take the charge of souls. On such occasions the awe of the Divine presence has been very powerfully felt, and the most devout and profitable intercourse has been maintained between the tutor and the students, as between them and their God.”

Mr. Knill sometimes mentioned a circumstance which impressed him with the reality of those prayers, and the unreasonableness of expecting the Divine blessing while any known duty was neglected. A religious service in one of the neighbouring villages, which was not popular with the students because it occurred on a week evening and broke in upon their studies, was one day left unprovided for. Mr. Knill, whose turn it was to offer the prayer which preceded the academic lecture, was about to proceed, when the Doctor interposed. “Stop, Mr. Knill, we cannot pray until a supply for Elson is obtained.” “I will go, sir,” said the person he had arrested. “Thank you, sir,” he replied; “now we may venture to approach the throne.”

It was the spirit which breathed in such incidents as this, which enabled Dr. Bogue’s biographer to say, “No one could leave Gosport without a deep impression of the grandeur and responsibility of the ministry, and an awful anticipation of the day when every shepherd of souls must render up his account to the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for the sheep.”

“I found,” says Mr. Knill, in his general reminiscences of Gosport,” a large number of students, some for the ministry at home, but the greater part for the heathen. There was no college building. The students boarded with various families, and met Dr. Bogue for his lectures daily in the vestry of his chapel. Mr. SmalFs academy, which I had just left, was a place of seclusion and hard study, with gi’eat gates to keep us safely; but at Gosport there was anything but seclusion. As far as

missionaries were concerned, there was, indeed, hard work, and for those who, like myself, were to remain but for a short time, it was ’ life in earnest.’ I have often wondered how any of us survived. We had to write as much from the Doctor’s various lecture-books, as would moderately fill up a man’s time. In addition to this, we had to prepare for the various classes, and to preach almost every Sunday. The tutor’s great soul was set on the conversion of sinners abroad; but he could not bear the thought that any should perish for lack of knowledge at home. Hence his zeal for breaking up every inch of fallow ground in Hampshire.”

This laborious life, however, was varied by enlivening scenes.

“We have lately,” he writes to Mrs. Isaac, on the 24th April, 1815, “parted with some of our missionary brethren; two for Surat, and one for Malacca. About twenty of the brethren accompanied them to the ship, which lay at the Mother-bank. You may conceive what were our feelings as we talked with them by the way. Sometimes we were overwhelmed by the difficulties, and then ^”e were animated with the pleasing prospect, the delightful hope, of bringing poor heathen to Jesus. At last the moment came for us to part. Some took a long farewell, not with the most distant hope of seeing each other again in the flesh, while others entertained the expectation of meeting again in the Eastern world. The voyagers were left apparently with a sacred calm upon their hearts; but w-e, in the returning bark, made the billovrs echo with

‘Salvation, 0 the joyful sound!’”

To the same correspondent he mentions an occurrence, which illustrates the tact to which he owed so much of his usefulness.

“Last Sabbath-week I was supplying for Mr. Hunt of Chichester, who is republishing the works of the great Mr. Howe, of Torrington. On my way thither, my ears were insulted and my heart pained by the vain discourse of a gentleman who sat in the coach with me. After some time, I spoke very affectionately on the impropriety of his conduct, and he said he thought I was a * Methodist parson.’ I told him I was, and, therefore, 1 had taken the opportunity of preaching to him. ‘Sir,’ said he, * If I knew where you preached I would come and hear you,’ and bound it with an oath. I told him where I hoped to preach the following day; and the first person I saw when I entered the chapel was my old fellow-traveller, sitting in the minister’s pew. His conduct during the service was worthy of imitation. I I was asked by some after service if I knew that stranger; they thought he was a very pious man, by his marked attention to every part of the service. He went out, and I saw him no more.”

Writing to his friend, Mr. Spencer, of Bideford, on the 4th of July, 1815, he says —” We have lately commenced street-preaching. I was not first on the field; but on the second Sabbath, at nine o’clock, the lot having fallen on me, I ascended the market-house steps, the first time, I presume, that ever they had been used for preaching the glorious gospel from. The market-house adjoins the beach. The congregation consisted chiefly of those who never attend a place of worship. I am sure you would have rejoiced to have seen it. When we began to sing, the persons who were buying meat left the standings; the butchers, having no customers, left their business, and stood around us with their ’ steels ’ in their hands. The porters and watermen drew near, and the sailors, with their immoral associates, left the brothels. The windows of the surrounding houses were opened, and from 150 to 200 were listening or looking. The sight of a crowd of such characters was enough to melt a rock of ice. I preached for about a quarter of an hour from the text — ‘I have a message from God unto thee.’ Mr. Slater had concluded by a short prayer, when two sailors were seen pressing through the crowd. We knew not their intention, but we had no fear of sailors. One of them said to Mr. Slater — ‘Will you write a letter for me to my father? I fear I am breaking his heart.’ The other came to me, and said — ‘You have been speaking a long time, sir, I am sure you must be thirsty; do take this three-shilling bit, and get something to drink.” Thank you, brave fellow,’ I replied, ’ we did not come here to

get drink.” No, no, said he; ‘I know what you came here for — it was to do us good; but you must have the three-shilling bit.’ I said,

* Have you a Bible?’ * No,’ was his reply. ‘Have you one in your mess?” I never saw one,’ said he. ‘Well, then,’ I added, ’ come with us, and I will give you a Bible for your money.’ He turned to his shipmate and said,

* Let us go with these gentlemen.’ We took them to our lodgings, and gave the young man the Bible. He viewed it on all sides, and then opening his breast-pocket, pushed it in and exclaimed, ‘There, sir, I will part with that book on the day I part with my head.’”

On the 2d June, 1815, he sends to a correspondent the following important piece of intelligence: —” My destination is now fixed. My future scene of labour is before me. India’s burning shores lie open to my view; but God is there, and cheerfully I will go, if the Lord permit. Never did I see it a greater privilege to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, nor did I ever see more of the necessity and importance of an interest in His merits. Bought with His blood, called by His grace, sanctified by His Spirit, add upheld by His power, oh, how precious!

“Hitherto the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places, and still goodness and mercy follow me. The station allotted me is peculiarly pleasing for several reasons. Mr. and Mrs. Loveless, who have been there some years, are very excellent persons. Mr. Bogue speaks of Mr. Loveless in the highest terms. AVhen he was at the Academy, his amiable manner, the meekness of his disposition, and his eminent piety, gained him the esteem of all. I shall be under the protection of the British Government, and have many of my countrymen around me; and what is best of all, I shall not be prevented from preaching the gospel while learning the language of the natives, which must be the case in many places. The students say that mine is certainly the best station: may I be more grateful and labour more abundantly than they all

“In the month of September, 1815,’’ it is said in the reminiscences,” when I had been just one year at Dr. Bogue’s, he beckoned to me one day after lecture to remain. When the

students were gone, he said — ‘I have received a letter from London, which, I think, will interest you. Last year an Auxiliary Missionary Society was formed at Leeds, for the West Riding of Yorkshire. It will be one of our chief supports. The secretary has written- to Mr. Burder, saying,” We have never seen a missionary at Leeds, and our large population needs something out of the common way to keep up and increase our missionary spirit. In October is our first annual meeting, and if you have a missionary about to leave, we wish him to be ordained at Leeds.’” Now, sir,’ said the Doctor, ’ you are one of the first who will leave, and I wish you to go. AYhat do you say to it?’ I felt disappointed, and replied — ‘My old pastor and his people wish me

to be ordained at Bideford, and” and,’

said the Doctor, ’ you would naturally like to go; but you are public property now. You must live for the whole world. We must sacrifice personal feeling if we wish to be extensively useful. Remember there are 80,000 people at Leeds. Take two days to consider it.’ On arriving at my lodgings, the students wished to know why I had been detained. I told them, and asked their advice. They all said, ‘Go to Leeds,’ and I went.”

The narrative is continued in a letter to Mr. Tucker, on the 2d of October: —

“On Friday evening I reached the destined spot, after travelling nearly 300 miles, without the least injury. Surely journeying mercies are not amongst our smallest blessings; for though there is no fiery, cloudy pillar to direct, yet a providential Hand is visible in protecting amidst so many accidents and dangers. On entering the town, I was beginning to fear what would become of me; but when the coach stopped, a man looked in at the window and said, ‘Is there a gentleman here of the name of Knill?’ I said, ‘Yes.” Then you must go with me,’ said he. ‘Pray sir,’ said I, ’ who are you?” 1 am Joseph, at Mr. Clapham’s.’ Now, it happened that this good old faithful servant was nearly as well known in Leeds as St. Paul’s Church in London. Joseph conducted me to the hospitable mansion of his master, where I spent a fortnight, which will never be forgotten by me nor by them.

On the Sabbath I preached three times, and on Monday gave the address to the united congregations, at their missionary prayer-meeting. On such occasions, the Independents and the Baptists meet together. Our meeting was in a Baptist chapel. Bigotry will soon be a name unknown in Leeds, I hope; for all parties seem united to promote the glorious cause of our Lord Jesus Christ. I was introduced to three evangelical clergymen, and I was informed that the pure gospel is preached in two or three of the churches. Thursday the branch missionary society meeting commenced. Mr. Leifchild, of London, preached one of the sermons on the occasion, and the Evangelical Magazine will inform you who preached the other. In the evening, the meeting for business was held at Salem Chapel, which is by far the largest. If you had been there, sir, I am certain your heart would have leaped for joy, you would have been ready to exclaim, ‘Bless-. ed are our eyes, for they see, and our ears, for they hear, those glorious things which kings and prophets waited for, and never found.’ The large place was well filled, the speeches were animating, and the collection good. The next day was appointed for ray ordination. Ah, sir, this is important work; never did I feel more forcibly that remarkable saying of the apostle, ‘Who is sufficient for these things?’ I was almost overwhelmed: my departure, my work, my death and judgment, were presented to my view, and scarcely any one present did not deeply feel it. The Lord, T trust, was in the midst of us; all was solemn, a spirit of prayer was evidently poured out, and scarcely an eye was seen but in it stood a tear. This solemn day was closed with the commemoration of the dying love of Christ by Christians of all denominations, who were admitted by tickets. On the Sabbath day I preached three times again — once for the Baptists, and twice among the Independents; in the evening, to the teachers and scholars of the various Sunday-schools, including also an Arian school. This was an interestino: si2:ht. After the service, a deputation, consisting of five of the biggest of each sex, was sent me to return me thanks. When I spoke to them, the dear little creatures burst into tears, and I must have been a stoic if I had not mingled my tears with theirs.

“On Monday, a missionary meeting was held at a village called Morley, three miles from Leeds. I walked ’ among the tombs ’ of the pious dead. Some of the dear ministers of Christ sleep here who were ejected from their livings for conscience’ sake. I witnessed the funeral of a young man just of my own age; and while I saw his parents weeping over their departed son, I could not help saying to myself, ‘No parent may be near to weep when I am numbered with the dead.’ Yet this did not divert me from the great work, but rather roused me to feel more tenderly for those poor souls who are dying without the knowledge of Christ, and made me long more earnestly to be among them to do all in my power while my life lasts. Before the meeting for business commenced, I preached a short sermon to a chapelful, and as many as could hear outside, for numbers stood at the doors and windows. The inhabitants of this village gave £40 last year to the society, and this year is expected greatly to exceed the last. On Tuesday I preached again at Leeds, in a place where there is no regular pastor; it lies in a part of the town which is not very elegant, but several hundreds attended.

“On Wednesday last my public services ended. I preached my farewell from ‘Who am I, 0 Lord God,’ &c. I believe there was never such a scene witnessed in Leeds before; it is not in my power to describe it. After the service was over, the people would not depart’ till they had shaken me by the hand, and those who could not come to me by one door went round and came in by the other.

“On the Thursday evening, the ministers and people held a special prayer-meeting to commend me to God, and implore a blessing on my future labours. The Rev. Messrs. Eccles, Scott, Turner, and Payne, took part, and appeared to have their minds sweetly engaged. The place resembled a ‘Bochim.’ No one could have persuaded me that I should have met with so much kindness; though a total stranger a fortnight before, yet then I felt myself surrounded by mothers, and brothers, and sisters. The services were concluded by singing that delightful hymn, —

Blest be the dear uniting Love 1’

Now a solemn silence pervaded the whole assembly. Each kept his seat, when one of the ministers said to me, ‘They will not depart till they have taken their last farewell of you.’ I arose and went to the seat door, and immediately they hastened to it, when I parted with them to meet no more till we meet around the throne of God. Solemn thought!

“On Friday I took my departure, accompanied by several to the coach, almost worn out with fatigue and anxiety, bringing with me many proofs of kindness, and assured that I shall never be forgotten by them in the most important sense. The collections were XI 30; and in the town of Leeds no less than £500 have been collected during the past year for the Missionary Society. My soul was much refreshed with what I saw and heard, and my heart is cheered with the thought that many precious souls are praying for me at Leeds, in addition to those who bear me upon their hearts before the Lord at Bideford. In the multitude of God’s tender mercies, I am brought back to Gosport in peace, where I hope to enjoy my former privileges for a little season — how long, I know not. I anticipate the time when I shall once more behold my dear friends at Bideford, and pray that when we meet and when we part, it may be in the fear of God. Hoping that this may meet you in the full enjoyment of those blessings which make rich and add no sorrow, I remain,” <fec.

The intense interest attending these services did not arise exclusively from the comparative novelty of the missionary enterprise, and the prepossessing aspect and character of the youthful missionary; it appears, from permanent results, to have been in large measure the fruit of an outpouring of the Spirit of God. One of the ministers who took part in the services, writing twenty years afterwards, says that great effects were produced in different congregations, and that many persons were added to the churches, who continued to adorn their profession: while a general impulse was given to the zeal of Christians. It may not be improper, in illustrating the strength of this feeling, to give a glimpse of the interior of an honoured Christian family, by the following note from Mrs. Parsons to Mr. Knill: —

“When I told you, that at the little prayer-meeting which I hold on the Sabbath evening from six to seven with my children, your name should be mentioned with that of my dear father, with my soul I made the vow, and it has been rigidly adhered to, and shall be while you or I live. Blessed be God, I can truly say I have had sweet communion in so doing, and often a blessed foretaste of the enjoyment of heaven. After prayer, my dear children often ask me about you, and tell me how they love to pray for you. Do so for them, and endeavour to meet us. Never, my dear sir, for a moment, suppose you will be forgotten here; many, I trust, will have cause to bless God that you were sent. Already we have heard of three who date from that time their serious impressions — one has proposed himself, and talks of following your example in becoming a missionary. Who knows but more may come forward? When you are on the great deep, and far hence among the Gentiles, you will be present in the hearts of many here; allow me to say, by none more sincerely or affectionately than by those in this house. You will, I am sure, be pleased to know that all things here with us go on well. My dear husband is highly honoured in his increasing church. We have few cliurch-meetings without several being united to us. Another of my sons is truly serious, and of the others I have great hopes. I do hope they will all become preachers of the everlasting gospel, to win souls to Christ. This is all my prayer for them.”

One result of that visit was brought to the knowledge of Mr. Knill thirty-three years afterwards, in a singular manner. When attending a public meeting at Ludlow, in 1849, one of the speakers, the Rev. Samuel Tillotson, a superintendent preacher in one of the branches of Wesleyanism, introduced into his speech the following account of his conversion: —” A great feeling of delight had been produced in my native town by a missionary

being ordained there. I was a stout lad, and a bold blasphemer. One of my uncles was a godly man, a deacon of Mr. Eccles’ church. He said to me, ‘Samuel, there is a young man in town who is going abroad to preach to the black people, and he is to take leave this evening by preaching to the young; thou must go, lad.’ The chapel was very much crowded; but being a strong fellow, I pushed my way, and got where I thought I should have a full view of him. We were all expectation. At last he made his way to the pulpit stairs. I watched him up into the pulpit. He was a tall, thin, pale young man. I thought, ‘Is he going to the heathen? Then I shall never see him more; I will listen.’ He read and prayed, and then gave out his text — ‘There is a lad here.’ There God met with my soul; I yielded myself unto Him. Next Sunday morning, I went to a Sunday-school, and asked if they would have me for a teacher; They complied, and I soon began to pray in the school. Then I set up prayer in my father’s family; next they made me an exhorter, and God blessed me to the conversion of my own father and brother. I have now been a regular preacher in our body for thirty years, and God has smiled on my labours. I owe it all to that sermon. I have never seen the preacher since, and, perhaps, I may never see him; but I shall have a glorious tale to tell him when we meet in heaven.’’

“Little did Samuel Tillotson think,” said Mr. Knill, in afterwards referring to this incident, “that the once tall, pale, thin young man was sitting near while he was giving that narration. Time had greatly changed my appearance. He had never seen me but on that occasion; and when I introduced myself to him in the midst of the meeting, the shock was electrical. How strange, that, so far away from the original scene, and after both of us had been wandering and labouring for so many years, we should so providentially meet! It has often struck me since, that ministers may expect strange greetings in heaven, from those whom they never saw on earth, but who have received good from their labours.”

Mr. Knill returned from Leeds to Gosport, where he enjoyed, for four months longer, the

instructions of Dr. Bogue. Having received ordination, he found some new services demanded of him.“^’ “The first,” he says, “was to baptize a little girl who was supposed to.be near death. I at first refused, but afterwards applied to the tutor for advice. ‘The dying child,’ said the Doctor, ‘will neither be better nor worse for it, but you may be a blessing to the distressed parents; go, sir, and may the Divine blessing accompany you.’ On entering the house, we found the father walking up and down the room, wringing his hands, weeping, and saying, * Oh, she will die; God is punishing me for my sins.’ Then looking at us, he said, ‘Are you come to baptize her?” Yes, sir, sit down; compose your mind, and let us talk together.’ The mother was sitting with the child on her lap, intently looking on it, but she never said a word. I began to encourage him with the hope that God would hear our prayers and spare his child, and then gave him good advice how he was to train her for God. ‘Especially,’ said I, ’ let her hear your voice in prayer.” Stop,’ said he, ’ stop, sir; you do not know who I am.’ ‘No, sir,’ said I; ‘but I

* The American Tract Society, in issuing this work entire, express no opinion as to the mode or subjects of 13aptism. should be happy to learn.” We were both, he answered, ’ members of a church at Eyde. I led the singing, and conducted the prayer-meetings, and was a great professor. My wife would never have consented to have me, if she had not thought me a religious man. Our grocery business was not large, still we could live comfortably. But a fair prospect offered here; we took this house and business, and this was our snare. When we first came, we always closed our shop on Saturday night, not to open it again till Monday. But our neighbours did much business on tfie Sunday; and if a ship came into harbour, and wanted supplies, perhaps they got more on Sunday than on any day of the week. This was a great temptation to us to do the same; — we tried it. First we opened the shop so as to have business over in time to go to chapel, next it encroached so that we could only go out in the evening, and then our consciences became so callous, that we left it off altogether; and now, sir, God is going to take away our child to punish us.” Well,’ I said, ’ learn wisdom by this stroke; repent, and do thy first works. Begin from this day; call

in your young men, and have family prayer.” I cannot.” Cannot!’ I exclaimed; ’ why V ‘Oh, said he, ’ they know how I used to live.’

* Well, if you were not ashamed to serve the devil in their presence, don’t be ashamed to tell them you have changed masters. Tell them honestly the whole story, and let them see your sincerity by the change of your deportment.’ We then went to prayer, and I baptized >S’oplironia, and took leave. A few days after, I called at the shop to inquire for the master. The servant said, ‘He is up stairs.” How is the child?’ * She is recovering,’ said the servant; ’ she began to get better after you left.’

* Call your master,’ said I. The girl went to the nursery to call him; and while she was absent, I looked round and saw some Bibles and hymn-books on a table. On her return, I said, * What are all these books placed here for?” Oh,’ said she, ’ they are books which master uses at family prayer.’ So he had begun.

“In a visit which my family paid to the Isle of Wight in 1836, they went into a shop, and a young person serving in the shop said to my son, Your father baptized me.” Indeed, said he; ’ when and where V ‘At Gosport, when he was a student. Please to tell your father that my father became an honourable member of the Church of Christ, and my mother died happy in the Lord. But before they died, they had the pleasure of seeing me also on the Lord’s side. Your father’s advice and prayers were not lost. Please to tell him this from Sophro-In the month of February, 1816, the time of embarkation for the East being now at hand, Mr. Knill went to Devonshire, to take farewell of his parents and early friends, bearing with him a letter from Dr. Bogue to Rev. S. Hooker, containing the following passages: —” I send this note by Mr. Knill, to express my best wishes for your prosperity and success, and to congratulate you on having sent forth such a young man into the ministry of the gospel. I never had a student with me who gave me more satisfaction. His talents are good, his piety eminent, his application to study assiduous, and his zeal for the advancement of the Redeemer’s glory fervent and exemplary. He 7^

carries away with him the esteem and affection of his tutor and fellow-students, and of the Christian people here.

“Last Thursday evening* he repeated the chief part of his ordination service, greatly to the edification of the audience. I asked the questions; and concluded with an exhortation to the people, and prayer. I think, sir, if you were to have this service in your congregation, and also in the principal congregations in the West, it would be both acceptable and useful 10 the people.”

This suggestion was readily acted on by Mr. Rooker; and a series of services took place, accompanied by a remarkable blessing. The ordination of a missionary was an event even more rare in those parts than in Yorkshire; while the circumstance that the individual had sprung from themselves, added greatly both to his own interest and to theirs. Bideford, Barnstaple, South Molton, Axminster, and Wellingborough opened their arms to him, and parted from him with tears and prayers. At one place, an aged disciple, who had for years been confined to bed, on hearing what was to occur, seemed to regain his youthful vigour, and begged to be carried to the chapel; saying, that having prayed in secret for the heathen, he must, before he died, see one who was going to point them to the Lamb of God. His wish was complied with. He remained during the whole service, and soon afterwards departed to glory. At another place, his appeal reached the heart of a young man, with such power from on high, that sleep departed from him until he was brought to a resolution to surrender himself to Christ’s service among the heathen. He has for many years been a blessing to the South Sea Islands. The name of Aaron Buzacott is well known to the readers of the Christian history of those islands.

“Services like these, amidst weeping friends and early associations, and hallowed by tokens of God’s saving favour,” Mr. Knill naturally remarks,” were very trying to my feelings. I used to think sometimes that I could weep no more — that the fountain of tears must be exhausted. But it was also very pleasant to be taken by the hand by the excellent of the earth, and to have a precious promise that they

would pray for me, and teach their children to pray for me. These were favours which I could not have anticipated, and may well lead me to sing —

‘Oh, to grace how great a debtor

Daily I’m constrain’d to be;
Let that grace, Lord, like a fetter.
Bind my -vrandering heart to Thee 1’

Amidst these parting scenes, there was one more tender than the rest. I must not omit that. It was parting with my beloved and honoured parents, but especially with my sainted mother. She took off her wedding-ring in the presence of my father, and said, * This is the dearest thing I possess. It was given to me by your dear father, as a pledge of his love, on our wedding-day. I have worn it more than forty years, and now in the expectation that I shall never see you again in this world, I give it to you. Your father gave it to me as a pledge of his love, and in his presence I give it as a token of our united love to you.^ Description fails here. Tender parents alone can understand it. In addition to the ring, there was a silver cup which my grandfather presented my mother, I believe on her wedding-day. This also she gave to me. The ring I keep as a sacred relic. The cup I gave to the skilful and attentive Dr. Lloyd, who attended me five months during the voyage from India to the Thames.

“When I had taken leave of my dearest friends, I repaired to London, to wait for the sailing of the ship. My residence in London was always with Mr. Nisbet, bookseller. He and his family were warm and affectionate friends of missionaries. Three or four of us have been at his house at once. He greatly assisted us in preparing for our embarkation, and I have always found a home at his house since. His friendships have not been overlooked by the Master. As it was with Obed-edom, so it has been with Mr. Nisbet. ‘The Lord blessed the house of Obed-edom, because of the ark.’”