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ChapterI0Manyremarkableincidents,bothgraveandgay,tenderandsevere,patheticandpungeant,havebeencompiledintoreligiousliteraturefromthelivesofevangelistsandothers,whobyearnest,personalservice,havesoughttowinmentoJesusChrist–incidentswhichhavebeenreadwithwonderbymany,andincredulitybynotafew.Inthehistoryofanearnest,soul-savingpreacheroftheGospel,“truth”ismostcertainly“strangerthanfiction.”Therecordsofevangelismreadlikearomance.Tragedyandcomedyareblendedtogetherinstrangeconfusion.DevilryandDivinitystandoutinstartlingcontrast.OneofthemostinstructiveandprofitablepartsofreligiousbiographyisthatwhichdealswiththestrugglesofGospelpioneers,menwhohadnosnugchurchmadetohand,butwhoalone,likeCareyinIndia,orClowesinEngland,havechallengedthesinandsorrowofatownoranation,and,bythepowerofloveanddisinterestedservice,havesuccessfullycombatedtheevilsofthepeople,andbuiltupacommunityofsaints.Whentheexperiencesofsuchmenaregiventotheworldtheyreadtotheuninitiatedlikeataleoftheimagination.WhatDonQuixoteisintherealmoffiction,thelivesofsomeevangelistsareintherealmsoftruth.Numberofpeopleinreadingtherecordsofevangelismthinkthatmanyofthestatementsaremuchexaggerated,andthatthewriter’sfancyhasover-colouredhispages.Eventhe“StrangeTales”ofJohnAshworthhavebeenlookeduponbysomeaslargelyembellishedwithfiction,ifnotpositivelyuntrue.SometimeagoIwasinatownwhereaman,havingreadseveralofAshworth’stales,handedthelastonereceivedbacktothevisitorwiththeremarkthat,“Hehadreadenoughofsuchlies.”Yetwesurelybelievethewriterwhenheinformsusthattheyweretheoutcomeofhispersonalexperience,andthatthepictureswereratherunderdrawnthanotherwise.Evenintheseprosy,hum-drumtimes,tosomeofus,excitingscenesinreligiousworkhavenotentirelyceased.Thepublicprintsdonotpublisheverything.Philosophy’sdreamdoesnotevenyetincludeallthingsinheavenandearth.Epictetustellsusthat,“Thebeginningofphilosophy,atleastwiththosewholayholdofitastheyought,andenterbythedoor,istheconsciousnessoftheirownfeeblenessandincapacityinrespectofnecessarythings.”HumilitybestbecomesallofuswhenfacetofacewithmanyofthemysteriousministriesoftheHolySpirit.ThespiritualsensesofmanyChristiansaresoimperfectlydevelopedthattheyseemtohavelostthedirectpersonalexperienceofGod.“Theyarelikeablindfatherwhocannolongerrecallthefacesofhischildren.”

“Theireyesareblind,theperfectstatuarytheycannotsee,TheyfumblewithdullfingersroundthefeetofGod,AndpicturedimlywhattheperfectFormmustbe.”

Therearemenwhokeepthedivinesecrettothemselves.Hethatdoeththewillshallknowthedoctrine.OnlynowandagainisthecurtainofthisHolyofHolieslifted,andthenthegloryisseen.Suchlivesarereverential,butfree.ManyofourChurchesaretoostereotyped.Othersaredyingof“gigmanity.”Amockrespectabilitymakesthemthelaughing-stockofhell.Afalsespiritualetiquetteisdestroyingthousands.TheideasofmanyofourChurchleadersaretoocramped;theirmethodsareasstraitenedasaChinawoman’sfoot.TheHolySpirithasnoroomtooperate.Thereiscoldenoughinso-mechurchestoturntheworldinto,ice.Manyofoursanctuariesareshunnedbythe“greatunwashed”;theywouldsoonersitinthe“BlackHorse”anddrink“four-penny”alldaylongthangotochurch,notbecausetheyareprejudicedagainstthetruthortheChrist,butbecausewhen

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theydogotheyreceiveachillwhichsickensthemforhalfalifetime.Theworkofsaving,thelostisscarcelycleanenoughforsomeofus.HundredsofChristianswouldsoonerfootitontheboardsofadance-saloonthanvisitthelostanddying.Theywillpayhalf-a-crowntoseeshamtragedyonthestage,anddismissthetreasuryofGodwithacoppertohealtherealtragedyattheirdoors.TheincidentIamnowabouttorelatehappenedintheearlydaysofmyreligiouslife.InthefreshzealofmyfirstloveIhadarovingcommission.Iconsideredeveryunsavedmanassomuchstolenproperty,andsoughtbyallmeanstorestorehimtohisrightfulowner-God.Iwasmyownquarter-day,districtmeetingandconference.Noecclesiasticalassemblyhadeverpassedmethroughitssacredformsofordination.MycalltopreachtheGospelwas,likePaul’s,directfromheaven.Mycredentialsweresinnersconvertedandbelieverssanctified.Idesirenoothersnow,exceptingthefruitsofholinessinmyownlife.Inthestreet,onthedoorstep,inthecourts,andinthemarket-place,anywhereandeverywhere,whenopportunityandtimeallowed,Iexhortedsinnerstofleefromthewrathtocome.

Ihavealreadyinformedmyreaderhow,consequentuponthedictatesofconscience,Ipassedfrommynaturalprofessiontothecoalmine.Thechangewasgreat.ButbtdegreesIbecameusedtomynewconditions.Tactofmindandagilityoflimbsoonledmetodistancesomeofmycopeers,untilIwasacknowledgedtobetheheadofmygang.Many,manyblessedhourshaveIspentinthedarkmine.Oft,whenthroughquicknessandskillIhaddone“mystint”beforemyfellows,thefewminutesleftwouldbespentinprayer.The“gobbin”tomehasoftenbeenthegateofheaven.Attimesalittlebanterwouldbeexercisedatmyexpense.

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“What,Flanagan,artta’prayingagain?”IwouldhearsometimeswhenengagedaloneforafewminuteswithmyGod.Butinthehourofdangerandneedtheywouldgenerallyseekmycounselandadvice.IcanneverforgetmyfirsttestimonyforChristinthemine.Afterthemendescendtheshaft,theyreceivetheirlampsandthenbreaktheneckofthedistancetheyhavetotravelunderground.Attheentrancetotheirgateway,justoffthemainroad,theyassembleforwhattheycalla“button”(ashortrest)beforegoingintowork.Ashonestyisthecodeofhonouramongthieves,sothe“button”isthecodeofhonouramongcolliers.Amanwhodidnotrespectitwouldbeconsideredascapegoat.ThefirstmorningIsatamongthemaftermyconversion,mycheeksburnedasIlistenedtotheirconversation.Itwasbothblasphemousandunclean.Everyobsceneremarkwasreceivedwithroarsoflaughter.Mybloodboiled,thoughIsaidnothing.Thenextmorningcame,andthesameconversationcommenced,whenIroseupandsaid:“Now,lads,seehere,Isatwithyouforthefirsttimeyesterdaymorning,andyourtalkwasneithersweetnorclean.YoucursedGodagainandagain.Isaidnothing,thinkingitwouldnotoccuragain.Butnow,thismorning,youhavebegunthesamekindoftalk,andIwanttotellyouthatl’maChristian,andIcan’tsithereandhearGodcursedanylonger;sofromthistimeIshallgohigherupandsitbymyself.”Thesewordsraisedastormaboutmyears.“He'saMethody!”“Boo!owdwatter-barrel;”“Hallelujah!”“Sendtheglory!”“Gooon,owdparson,andsitbythysen.”Theseandsuchlikephraseswereplentifullybestoweduponme.ButIwasnottobemoved.ForseveralweeksIsatalone,untilonemorning,whenpassingthroughthem,Iwasaskedtorenewmyplaceamongthem.Idid,theconditionbeingthattheyshouldnotswear.Neveragainweremyearsoffendedbytheirfoultalk.Ifonehappenedtomakeaslip,hismatewouldreprovehimwithsomesuchwordsas,“Nowthen,cannathounotbehavethysen?”TheminewhereItoiledwasworkedonwhatiscalled“thelongwallsystem.”Thewholebedofcoalwasexcavatedfromoneendtotheother.Thislonglengthwasthendividedintosmallerlengths,orsections;theseweretermed“stalls.”Thesestallswouldbelettothreeorfourpettycontractors,called“butties,”andagain,thesebuttieswouldemploydaymentoassistingettingthecoalandsendingitto“bank.”Thenumberofmenineachstallvariedaccordingtoitslength,orthedifficultyexperiencedingettingthecoal.InthestallwhereIworkedthereweresixmen,sometimesseven.Fourofthesewerebutties.Altogethertherewereaboutfourhundredmenandboysinthemine.AtthetimeofwhichIwriteSchoolBoardshadnotcomeintoexistence.Theintellectualstatusoftheminersgenerallywaslow.TheywereshutoutlikeMiltonfrom—

“Dayandvernalmorn,Andflocksandherds,andSummer'srose.But

Cloudinsteadandever-duringdarksurrounds....”Beingacquaintedchieflywiththeblackfaceofthecoal,andthedueswingofthelightpick,itwasnowonderiftheirmindsgrovelledamidbasethings.Amanwhocouldreadwasalmostanovelty,andhisopinionswereconsideredalmostinfallible.Yet,eveninthedarkmine-tothegloryofGoditmustbesaid-thereweremenwhobytheSpiritofChristwereindeeddiamondsintherough,and

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whoselivesshonewiththelustreofheaven.InthosedeepHadeanabodes,unnoticedandunknown,theyboresplendidwitnesstothetruth.Itwillbeplaintothereaderthatamidsuchassociationsaconversionlikeminewouldmakenosmallstir.AfewweeksafterIprofessedChrist,itwascirculatedprettyfreelythatI“wasconvarted.”Thisfactevokedamixedmanifestationoffeeling.Somelaughed,othersswore,whileafewjeeredatmeforbeingsuchafool.Onceortwicemycheeksturnedhot,andmyhandinstinctivelybentintoafist.ButbythegraceofGodIwassavedfromfalling.lhavealreadytoldthereaderhowIusedtosnatchwhatleisuremomentswereallowedtomewhennotworkingorsleepinginordertoinstructmymind.Myfirstattemptatself-tuitionwasasfollows:-BeforeleavinghomeinthemorningforthemineIwouldplacetheBibleopenbeforemeandreadasingleverse,saysixtimes,thenclosethebookandrepeatitagain,thusmakingitmyown.Thenleavinghome,Iwouldcomfortmyheartallthedayonthatparticularpassage.ThefirstportionoftheWordIlearnedthuswasthe103rdPsalm.MylifewasallsunshineintheLord,andIdesiredtoknowScripturerethatwasinharmonywiththehighecstacyofmyheart.ThePsalmmentionedwastheveryportionIneeded.Therearetwenty-twoversesinit,andittookmetwenty-twodaystolearnit.Mycustomwas,asstatedabove,totakeoneversewithmetoworkrepeating,“BlesstheLord,0mysoul,andallthatiswithinme,blessHisHolyname."Whenthemenswore,lwouldburstoutwith,“BlesstheLord,0mysoul,andallthatiswithinme,blessHisholyname!“Thefirstdaywhileatworkapieceofrockfellfromtheroofandsadlydamagedmyscalp.Withagrinlcriedout.“BlesstheLord,0mysoul,andallthatiswithinme,blessHisholyname!"Apowerfullybuiltcollierwhostoodnearlookedatmewithastrangelycomicalstare,andsaid.“BlesstheLord?Ah!lshouldthinkso.lt’sallbosh!Thaonlysaysthattokeepthysenfromswearing.”ButthatbitofScripturewashelpfultomeinanotherway.Intheminetherewasaprofessedatheist.Hehadreadprettylargely.ButhisreadingembracedmostlysecularistprintsandReynold’s.HehadlookedintotheBible,butlikemanyofhisclass,hisknowledgeofitscontentswasofthemostmeagreanddefectivekind.HewasbothPopeanddemagogue.Hegavethecuetomanyoftheopinionsandbeliefsoftheminersaroundhim.Tomanyofthemenhewasthehighestembodimentofwisdom.Ihadheardofthismanasatscofferatreligion.HisdelightwastolaughbeliefoutoftheheartofanyyoungfellowwhohadbeenbroughttoChrist.Severalhadgivenwaybecauseofhissneers.Howmightyisthelaughforgoodorevil!Whowillwriteabookontheministryoflaughter?Ipursuedallpossibleexpedientsinordertoshunthisman,forIwasafraidifheattemptedanyofhistricksonmeImightforgetthespiritIwasofandfloorhim.Alas!onedaytheshaftwasdamaged,andweweresummonedtothesurface.AtthebottomoftheshaftIcameacrossitlargecrowdofminerswhoweredelayedthroughsomedefectinthewindinggear.There,rightinthemidstwasthemanwhomofallothersIdreadedtomeet.Isteppedintotheshadow,buthiswinkatthemenaccompaniedbyawickedleerledmetoexpectastorm.IprayedtoGodtobekeptfromdoingsomeactofviolence.Hecommencedbysaying:“Isay,mates,haveyouheadthatFlanaganhasgotconverted?”“Ah!wehan,”chorusedthemen.“Isittrue,Flanagan,thatyou’veturnedBiblebeliever?”askedtheman,addressingmepersonally.“Yes,”Isaid,“IhavegivenmylifetoJesusChrist,ifthatiswhatyoumean!”“Oh,soyou’veturnedChrsitian?Isupposethen,youbelievewhattheBiblesays,don’tyou?”“YesIdo.”

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“Wellthatshowswhatafoolyouare.”Mybloodwasgettinghot,butIcontinuedpraying.“HowdoyoumakeoutI’mafool?”Iasked.“Why,inthesedaysit'sonlyoldwomenandfoolsthatdobelievetheBible.”“Indeed!”Isaid.“Yes,that’sit.Youknow,Flanagan,whatIbelieve.Ibelieveinamandoingwhathelikes/”(thistohimmeantdoingallmannerofunholythings.)“Besides,evenifyourBibleweretrue,IcanprovefromitthatyourGodcan’tsendmetohell.”“Canyou?"Ianswerednervously,forIknewhoweasilyhecouldpuzzlemymind.“Yes,Icanproveit,evenfromitsownwords.Foritsays,mark,intheBible,‘thatthemercyoftheLordisfromeverlastingtoeverlasting.’Now,ifthemercyofGodneverends,howcanHesendeithermeoranybodyelsetohell?”Andwithatriumphantflourishofhishand,heexpectedmetocollapse,butIdidnot.Why?BecausethequotationhegaveisfromtheveryPsalmwhichithadtakenmetwenty-twodaystolearn.Soonashehadmadethequotation,myformstraightened,mynervessettled,andIturneduponhimcalm,butsure.TheColliershadscrewedtheirfacesforalaugh,buttheywaitedformyanswer.“Man,”Isaid,“youquotetheBiblewrong.YoudissectandmaimthetruthofGodaccordingtoyourowndwarfedideas,andthenholdupyourfalsecaricatureandsay,‘See,thisiswhattheBiblesays.’Now,willyoupleasegiveusthewholepassage?Halfthetruthfalselyquotedissometimesasbadasabarefacedlie.Giveustheotherhalf.Yousetyourselfupasbeingverywise;butIwantourmatestoseethatyouarenotaswiseasyouseem;infact,thatyouareonlyafoolindisguise.”Helookedverymuchamazed,andputtingonaboldair,hesaid,“Ihavegivenyouallthereis.”“Noyouhavenot,andifyoudonotknowwhatthebiblereallysays,whydoyoushowyourignorancebyquotingit?Neveragainattempttoteachthosewhoareyoursuperiorsinknowledge.WhattheBiblesaysis:‘ThemercyoftheLordisfromeverlastingtoeverlastinguponthemthatfearHim,’andnotuponinfidelsandblasphemerssuchasyou.”Thepoorfellowwasbeaten,hisfollywasapparenttoall.ThelaughpreparedformeIneverreceived,andeverafterthemanrespectedmeasonewho,sofarastheBiblewasconcerned,wasmorelearnedthanhe.AsIwroteinthelastchapter,IhadonlybeenconvertedashorttimewhentheRev.W.SuttleandtheofficialsthoughtIoughttocomeontotheplanasanexhorter.Thisgavemeamuchwiderfieldofusefulness.CommissionedbytheChurchIbegantospreadtheGospeltidingseverywhere.Inthechapels,onthehighroad,insickrooms,atthemine,ItoldofHimwhohadsavedme.ManyoftheminersweresorelypuzzledtoknowhowImademy“sermons.”Strangeandcrudenotionswereadvancedtoaccountformytalkingpower,andmanyaheartylaughIhadatthereasonsadvanced.

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OneMondaymorningafterpreachingthedaybeforeataplacesomesixorsevenmilesfromhome,Iwenttoworkfeelingrathertired.Ihadnotbeenatworklongbeforethemanwhoworkednexttomesaid:-“Isay,Jem,weerwortaeyesterday?Wortaeha’utpreaching?”“Yes,Iwas,andagoodtimeIhad.Soulsweresaved,glorybetoGod!”“An’weerwortae"“AtCinderHill.”“AtCinderHill,”hegaspedinastonishment.“Mihi!ni’thaeharnedthibacon.Whattoimedidtaegetwhoam?”"Abouttwelveo’clock.”“Aba’atwhat?”hegasped.“Well,Iniver!Dostmeantosayasitwortwelveo’t’clockaforethougotwhoam?”“Ido.”“Well,then,Itellthe’whatIthinkaba’atit:thargoesha-utprachingont’Sundaysan’comestoworktiredasadog,andt’resultisthoucannaliftasmanycoalsasthoushoulddo,an’wehaetosuffer.Idunnobelaveit'sreight.”“But,mate,youmustnotthinkthatmyworkforGodunfitsmeforwork.MytoilforHimontheSabbathrenewsmystrength,andIfeelmyworkatthepittobeapleasure.Butletmeaskyouaquestion,Wherewere-youyesterday?”“Mae?Well,Iwentuptot’‘Tricklayers’Arms’an’hadapintortwoo’owdfour.”“Andwhattimedidyouarrivehome?”“Abouteleven.Butthaknows,Flanagan,Ihadnatowalktwelvemileslikethae.”“No,youhadnot.ButwhatwetwelvemilestoitmanwhohasagoodconscienceandGod’ssmile?Haveyougotthose?”“No,”themananswered,“IwishIhad.”“Then,”Isaid,“IthinkIamboththestrongerandthericherman.”Ourconversationendedhere,themanseemingtoreflectseriouslyuponwhathadbeensaid.ThegreaterpartofthemenwithwhomIworkedresidedinasmallvillageononesideofthelargeestateunderwhichthecoal-bedslay.Thesquirewhoownedtheestatehadbuiltanumberofhousesfortheaccommodationofhisownworkmen,andthese,beinggroupedtogether,formedthevillage.ThespiritualwantsofthepeoplewereattendedtobytheestablishedChurchandaMethodistChapel.AtthetimeofwhichIwritethemembersatthelittleMethodistChapelresolvedtodosomethingtoawakenthepeopletoasenseoftheirspiritualdanger.Toaccomplishthistheyarrangedforaseriesofspecialservices,andappointedadifferentspeakereachevening.Beingaskedtotakeoneevening,Iconsentedtodoso.MyappointmentwasontheWednesdayeveningfollowingtheMondaymorning’sconversationreferredtoabove.OntheTuesdaymorningitwasrumouredthroughtheminethatlwasgoingtopreachatL.thenextevening.Ateleveno’clockwerestedashorttimeformeals,andallthemenrepairedtothe“gate,”orroad,tohavetheir“snap.”Thinkingitwouldsavemealotofchaff,Isatinthe“Gobbin”bymyself.lwaswithinearshotoftheotherparty,andcouldnothelpbuthearthefollowingconversationbetweentwooftheminers:—“Isay,Jack,what’sthink?”“Iduunaknow.”

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“Well,thaeknowswean’oftentalkedaboutJem’spraching,an’wonderedhowhaemadehissarmons,an’we’av’wonderedwhathaetalkedaba’utwhenhaewenttoprach.”“Well,mate,”chimedinJack,“I’mputtingthaeoff,butI’lltellthaewhatmyfarmopinionisabautJem.Ibelavehemak’shissarmonsupaba’utus.Thouknowshae’lbeginwi’abito’whathaecallshisown’sperience,andthenwindupwi’tellingt’folkswhatwickedfellowsweare,mixingitallwi’abito’Scriptur’like;dostsee?””WellIworgoingtotellthae,ifthou’llon’ybestill.Methodistfolkinourvillage’av’begunsumwhattheycawrevivalsarvices,andtheyhaeafreshspeakereveryneet,an’I’veheard’atJem’sgoingtobet’oneto-morrowneet.Now,I’vebinthinkingifsumon’uscu’dgoaanheer’imforoursens,waeshouldkno’alaba’utit;an’thenifhaetowdt’folkaba’utuswe’dmak’ithotfor’im.”“Capitalidea!There’stheaan’Joean’Tom.Yo’livetheer;goaan’listen,an’let’sknowint’morningwhathaedoessay.”This(‘conversation,Iconfess,compelledmeintentlytoplaythepartofaneavesdropper.Thetemptationwastoogreattoberesisted;Icaughteveryword.WhatIhearddidnotincreasemypersonalcomfort-rathertheopposite.AllthatdayandthenextIwasthinkingabouttheserviceandthecriticswhomIexpectedtomeetthere.OftendidIpraytheprayerofthehelpless,“Lord,helpme!”SincerelydidIdesirethatiftheycametotheservicesomepowerdivinemightchangetheircriticalspiritintooneofpenitence.IknewthatifGoddidnottakeholdofthem,whatIsaidwouldbehelduptoridiculefordaystocome.SowhileswingingmypickIpleadedforpower.AtlengthontheWednesdayafternoon,thewelcome,“Looseall,”soundedthroughthemine,biddingusceaseworkfortheday.Dressingspeedily,Ihurriedtothepitshaft,andascending,Isoonarrivedhome.TheplacewhereIhadtopreachwasaboutfourmilesforwhereIresided.Ichangedhastily,andthensetoffontheraodtomyappointment.Bywalkingsharply,Iarrivedatthechapelafewminutesbeforetheservicetime,andenteringthepulpit,silentlybutearnestlybesoughtGod’sblessingontheservice.Ithentookstockofmycongregation.Alargenumberofpeoplewerepresent,butmycriticshadnotasyetarrived.Perhapstheywouldnotcome.Sweetthought!Alas!JustasIwasgivingoutthefirsthymn,thedooropened,andinwalkedthethreemenwhohadbeendeputedtoattend.ThefirstwhocameinwasTom.He,notunderstandingmuchaboutthenatureofarevivalservice,andperhapswishingtoshowhiscouragetotheothertwo,walkedrightupthecentreaisletothefrontseatnearestthepulpit.Then,seatinghimselfwithoutanyshowofreverence,hethrewhimselfback,andwitharudestare,fixedhiseyesuponme.Histwocompanionsglidedintoaseatnearthedoor.Theserviceproceeded,andIconfessmynerveswerealittleunsteady.Butfaithrose,andthepowercame.MysubjectwasthedestructionoftheCitiesofthePlain.WithafewgraphictouchesIdescribedthenaturalandmoralfeaturesofthescene.IportrayedthesinofSodomasofthedeepestdye.ThenIpicturedtheescapeofLotfromtheburningcity,andfinallyturnedthewholeapplicationfulluponmyaudience.Nohighercriticismweakenedmyapplication.TheburningtruthsIbreathedforthwerethedeepconvictionsofmyheart.Godhelpedmetospeakthatnight.Thepeoplebothtrembledandwept.Iwassurethatsoulswouldbesaved.SoabsorbedwasIinmy

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themethatIlostallthoughtofmycritics.Itwasonlythefinal“Amen”whichagainbroughtthemtomythought.Commencingtheprayermeetingwithahymn,Ilookedtoseeifmy“critics”werestillthere.Yes,allthreewerepresent.InthefrontseatsatTom,withafaceaswhiteasaghost’s.Hishold,impudentlookwasgone.Heseemed-touseaphraseofJohnMcNeill’s–“likeapieceofparalysedjelly.”Hesathelplessontheseat.Asadlookofdespairwasonhisface.Poorfellow!Allhisspiritualboneswerebroken.Hecametomock;heremainedtopray.Nearthedoor,withbowedheads,weretheothertwo.Askingthepeopletokneel,Imademywaytowheretheysat;butasIdrewnear,oneofthemseizedhishatandbolted.Theotherpoorfellowremained,andrisingup,roaringatthetopofhisvoice,hemadehiswaytothefronttoseeksalvation.Gloryfelluponthepeople.EverysoulthatstayedbehindfoundJesus.Lateatnightweclosed,andthen,tiredwiththeexertion,Imademywayhome.ThenextmorningIwenttoworkwithmingledfeelings,wonderingwhatwouldbemyreception.Iquietlyslippedtomywork.Thingsseemedtobeverypeaceful.Acoupleofhoursaftercommencing,“Jack,”themanwhohaddeputedtheotherthreetoattend,cameupfromthefar-endofthe“stall”tothegate-endplate(alargesquarepieceofironplacedinthecentreofthestall,onwhichtheloadedoremptywaggonsareturned).Kneelingontheplate,withhissafetylampinonehandandhispickintheother,heshouted:“Ho!ho!hello!”“What’sup,Jack?”returnedhismate,whowasworkingatthecoalfacesomedistanceaway.“Comehere.”shoutedJack,“Iwanttoseethee.”Hastilydroppinghispickthemanmadehiswaytohiscomrade.“Now,”thought;I,“Jackisgoingtoinquireaboutthesermon,”soinspiteoftheproverbthat,“listenersseldomheargoodofthemselves,”Istrainedmyearsandlistened.Darkeningmylamp,Idrewasneartothetwominersaspossible,andheardthefollowingcolloquy:-“Well,Jack,what’staewantwi’mae?"“Why,Iwantedtoknowifthaewenttot’chapellastneet,andheerdJemprach?”“Ah,lad,Idid?‘“Well,didhaesayowtaba’utuschaps?”

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“well,Jack,I’lltellthae.Maean’Toman’Joewentaswaesedwaeshouldtot’chapel,an’whenwaegotinsideTomwentreetupt’front,butIwornonegoingthear.Ididnamean‘emtocapmae.Maean’Joeslippedintoaseatneart’door.Anafterthey’dsungandprayed,Jemtookhistext,Ithinkhecawedit,an’,mi’hi,ni’ifhaedidnaprach.Forsure,Jack,Ithowtt’fireworcomingdowniveryminutetoswallerusallup.Ah,mylad,itworawful!HemadeJoeshak’likeachain-lampint’airshaft.Isalniverforgitit,Itellthee.IgotautassoonasIcu’dforfeart’devilshouldha’me.”Jack’sfacewasaperfectstudyashismatetoldthetaleofhorror.“Myguy!''saidJack,“I'mgladIwurna’theer.ButwhatIwantedtoknowwor’,didtanoticeifhaesedawtabautus?"“Howdthinoiseabitan’letmaefinish.Hehadnabinprachinglongaforehaebegantotellt’folkaba’utmae.Iwonderedifthouhadbeensayingoutto'im."Jackshookhishead.“Well,thatisna’all.HeactuallytowdfolkasI'dginthreepunfifteenshillingsforaBible,an’putitupt’stairsan’niveropeneditsin’I’dhadit.”“Well,Iniver!An’worittrue?”“Itwortrue,an’that’spuzzledmae;an’whatlickedallwor,haesedonybodycu’dwrite‘damnation.’int’dustont’covers.An’whenIwentwhoamIpickedituptosee,an’forforsure,lad,onybodyascud‘a’writtencud‘a’doneiteasily.”“Well,that’st’queerestbito’stuffIiverheered.Howdostta’thinkhaegottoknow?”“Idunnoknow.ButItowdourmissisIbelavedshe’dlet‘imlookatitwhenIworoutsumday.Butshasedhae’dnivercalled.ButIsallaz‘immysen,an’thenIsallknow.”Atthistheyseparated,andIhurriedtomywork.DuringthedaythemanwhopossessedtheBibleandImet.Hecommencedtodenouncemerightearnestlyforexposinghimbeforeapublicaudience.Ireasonedwithhim;inthespiritofJesus,andtriedtoshowhimthatthewordpreachedwasGod'scallpersonallytohimself.Iurgedhimtoacceptitassuch,repentofhissins,believe,andlive.Welabouredtogetherforsometimeafterwards,butIcouldneverfullyconvincehimthatthepersonalreferencesdeliveredthatnightinthechapelatL.weredeliveredundertheinspirationoftheSpiritofGod.TothisdayInevergototheoldspotandpassthechapelwithoutthinkingofmycriticsandhowtheywerebeaten.(Tobecontinued.)NOTE._WeregretthataninerrorthenameofJ.FENYNwasinsertedunderphotoonpage689inlastmonth’sissue,insteadofthatofREV.J.BARFOOT.__________________________________________________________________________________ReferencesPrimitive Methodist Magazine 1901/772