Mr. T.'s Views of Christian Perfection
Mr. T.’s views of Christian perfection — Mrs. C.’s account of the camp meeting — Conversion of Mrs. S. — Temperance reformation — Thoughts on engaging as a missionary teacher — Call to a destitute district — An opposer disarmed.
New light now broke in upon my soul, and it was with much regret that I left the tented groye. As I returned home, I had great joy and peace in believing. What union of soul with the people I had just left! What intense desires that the Church to which I belonged should partake of like precious faith! To walk and talk with God, and realize from day to day, that he owns and blesses, I felt to be the privilege of every believer. ‘’Why,” thought I, “is this glorious doctrine confined to the Methodist Episcopal Church?”
As soon as I reached my home, I hastened to the house of my pastor. Rev. Mr. T., a devoted Christian, and faithful embassador of Christ. When he saw me, he said, *’Well,
Mrs. Gardner, you have been to the camp meetino- I hear.” I answered in the affirmative, adding that it had proved a very great blessing to my soul. He desired me to give him some account of it. I did so, and spoke very freely of the impressions I had received. e seemed deeply interested in the rehearsal. I asked if he thought a person could live holy in this world. He replied, “We are not fit to live he#e, and enjoy God, unless we are holy.” I then asked why so few enjoyed sanctification, and why the doctrine was confined to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He said he did not think it was confined to them; that there was a great variety of opinions on the subject; and the difficulties seemed to arise from the use and misapprehension of certain terms expressing it. “It is called,” said he, “by the Methodists, ‘perfection,’ and many suppose they mean sinless perfection.” He then remarked, that while tabernacled in clay we could not expect to be perfect as God, or as perfect as the holy angels; but we might expect to be perfect Christians — that is, love him with all the heart, and serve Him with all our powers — and it was his opinion that, if we lived as we ought, we should go on to perfection as soon as we are justified. He also regarded it a progressive work. I reminded him that it was an instantaneous work in the case of the lady I had seen at camp meeting. He smiled and said, “She has only stepped out of the seventh chapter of Romans into the eighth: let us do so too.”
Just at this moment, my friend, Mrs. C, who had accompanied me to the camp meeting, came in; she was an exemplary Christian, and loved the Savior. Mr. T. addressed her, by saying, “Well, Mrs. C, you have been to the camp meeting. Have you had a good time?” “I have not,” was her prompt reply. “To me,” she continued, “it was a barren meeting.” Mr. T. seemed much surprised, and inquired into the cause. “0,” said she, “there is so much wild-fire and fanaticism among that people, / couldn’t enjoy it. There was a lady there, who said she was sanctified! I listened to her conversation till I became disgusted and left the tent. I have come home far more hard-hearted than I was when I went.” Mrs. T., who was present, said, “Mrs. C, you remind me of the spies, who were sent to Jericho. Mrs. Gardner has just brought us a delightful cluster of grapes; but you speak evil of the land. When you go home, study your Bible, pray over it, examine your heart, and pray that God would ’ sanctify you wholly,’ as he did Mrs. B. at the meeting.”
The female prayer meeting, which we had established, continued to increase in interest. Mrs. S., the poor woman for whom our prayers had been solicited, was, in a short time, heard to tell of the wonderful goodness of God, which had led her to repentance. The work spread, and a very gracious revival ensued. Many of my dear pupils were born of the Spirit, and joined with us, in ascribing praise to Him who had loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own precious blood. Both the daughter and husband of Mrs. C. were among the converts, which she considered more than an ample reward for the time which she had devoted to the interests of the meeting.
Mrs. K. had the happiness of seeing her two daughters, whom she had presented as subjects for prayer, rejoicing in God, the rock of their salvation. I have since thought that this was the most profitable mode of conducting a female prayer meeting, it being quite as public as any other meeting of the Church, and not confined to its members.
About this time the subject of temperance was agitated among this people. In the township there were eleven distilleries, twelve stores, and several taverns, where spirituous liquors were sold. It had been suggested that the young, as well as the old, should become interested in this subject. A pledge was put into my hands for my scholars, to which fifteen names were soon annexed.
For some time previous to this I had been listeninj? with interest to the loud calls for teachers in the valley of the Mississippi, and other destitute portions of the United States. I was pained to see so few who were willing to devote themselves to this work, and was led to inquire, “Lord, shall I go?”
I had just become acquainted with a pious young man, who had often visited my school, and had consented to take charge of it, in case I should wish to give it up. I therefore concluded to relinquish this field of labor, and give myself up to the missionary society, to be sent where I could be of the greatest benefit to my fellow -beings.
After taking an affectionate leave of my dear friends here, I returned to the city of New York. While busily employed in making preparation for the missionary work, I received a letter from Mr. T., urcrino- me to return ao-ain to Wantao’e; statino- that there was a destitute district upon the mountains, where they were in great need of a teacher, and the people had expressed a strong desire to secure my services. Mr. T. gave it as his opinion that I could not find a more useful field of labor. Having great confidence in his judgment, I heeded his advice, and without delay hastened to the relief of this destitute people.
The temperance society at this time had greatly augmented its influence and numbers. Its members now numbered four hundred and forty-five; two of the taverns had been closed; but five of the eleven distilleries were never expected to be in use again; and there was no rum sold at any of the stores.
I soon became deeply interested in my new field of labor. The people received me joyfully, and I had very flattering prospects of being abundantly successful in the work of the Lord. I had taught but a few days, when one of the trustees called upon me, and requested me to give notice to my school that there would be a meeting of the trustees that evening. I asked him for what purpose it was to be held- He informed me, that Mr. C, an influential member, and one of the trustees, was violently opposed to having the school opened and closed with prayer. I told him, though I was unwilling to act in opposition to the wishes of my employers, yet I felt that I must be perfectly free in this matter, and suggested that it might be well for me to leave. He said that he thought the majority were in my favor, and that no difficulty would ensue. The next morning I was informed that I was at liberty to conduct the exercises of the school in any way that might be agreeable to my own views of duty and propriety.
A Sabbath school was soon established, the parents and others engaging in it as teachers. A missionary box was placed upon my desk, for the reception of such contributions as the children were disposed to make. The pennies which had been previously expended for candies, toys, and other short-lived enjoyments, were now, with smiling faces and happy hearts, dropped into this little box. Much good was done through this instrumentality; but eternity alone can tell the full result.
When I entered upon this field of labor, I
found it necessary to board around among my employei-s, as I had previously done, each family boarding me according to the number of pupils they sent to the school. It had often been suggested to me by my friends, that it would be better for me not to go to board with the above-mentioned Mr. C, as he was unfriendly to me. I paid little attention to these remarks, trusting in the Scriptures, that “when a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” I therefore went to board with him, as I had done at the other places. Mrs. C. received me very cordially; but when her husband came in from his work, he seemed much surprised to find me there. He, however, gave me his hand, and seemed greatly agitated; but as I conversed freely with him, he became quite calm. Just as I was retiring to my room Mrs. C. handed me the Bible, saying, “Mrs. Gardner, I suppose you would be pleased to have family worship?” This was a trying moment. I felt that I had a Goliath of the Philistines to contend with, and no resource, but to cry to God for strength adequate to my day. I opened the precious volume, and read a chapter; after which I fell upon my knees to pour out my soul to God. All the family kneeled with me except Mr. C, who retained his seat. When we rose from our knees, I immediately retired to my room, conscious that I had done my duty, painful as it had proved to me.
I slept but little during the night; I was greatly tempted, and truly felt that it would be agreeable to my feelings not to be called upon again to perform the same duty. But, in spite of my hopes and fears, the Bible was again handed to me on the succeeding morning, and again I read, and kneeled, and prayed. I felt that God was with me, teaching me how to pray, and what to pray for. On my way to my school, the next morning, I met Mrs. B., who asked me where I was then boarding. On being informed, she exclaimed, “Is it possible! Do you know that Mr. C. has threatened to take your life the first time you ever darkened his doors? This I heard him say, and I told him he must be careful what he did to vo, for you always carried a broadsword by your side ready for use.” I smiled, and assured her that God had made even my enemies to be at peace with me. I continued to board with them, and was treated with every mark of respect and kindness.