Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

perseverance of a man whom posterity will remember and honour as the apostle of Golden-lane.

We have only to add that our illustrations are inserted by permission of the proprietors of The Graphic.

[We know of no evangelistic work in London so wisely conducted, and permanently useful, as that which was inaugurated by Mr. Orsman, and has been carried on by him for so many years. Our beloved friend has always rejoiced in being connected with the Tabernacle, though he has not been dependant in any degree upon us for funds. Our heart rejoices at every remembrance of him. He is one of that honourable body of men who are not chargeable unto the churches, but abide in their callings and preach the gospel freely. Only by labourers of this class can our back slums be reached. Hard by the very centre of infidelity, our brother exhibits a practical Christianity, and he ought to have the sympathy of all believers in so doing, a sympathy not of words only, but shown in pecuniary help towards the buildings he requires.-C. H. S.]

lesley's Sanctuary."

N looking back on the stormy days of religious awakening under in London was the Old Foundry, in Moorfields. The great preachers of the revival had been eminently successful in making converts among the highways and hedges up and down the country; but they began to experience the want of a home of their own in the Metropolis-some quiet haven or another whither the multitude might be drawn to hear the word of life, and whither the preachers might retire when needing shelter in London. It was not easy to find such a place until Providence opened the way. In the semi-rural area of Moorfields there stood a ruinous factory, which elderly and middle-aged people remembered as having been used by the Government many years previously, as a place for casting heavy ordnance. To the relief of a number of the more nervous among the neighbouring inhabitants, this factory was forsaken on account of a disastrous accident which occurred in 1716, and in connection with the re-casting of a number of heavy guns, captured by Marlborough in the War of the Spanish Succession: e. g.

of

"On the day appointed for performing this work, a more than usual number persons were assembled to view the process. Many of the nobility, and several general officers, were present, for whose accommodation temporary galleries had been erected near the furnaces. Among the company there drawn together was Andrew Schalch, an intelligent young man, a native of Schaffhausen, in Switzerland, who was travelling for improvement. He was at the Foundry at an early hour, and having been permitted minutely to inspect the works, detected some humidity in the moulds, and immediately perceived the danger likely to arise from the pouring into them of hot metal in such a condition. Schalch communicated his fears to Colonel Armstrong, the Surveyor General of the Ordnance, explained his reasons for believing that an explosion would take place, and strongly urged him, and the rest of the company, to withdraw from the Foundry before the casting of the metal. The Colonel having closely questioned Schalch on the subject, found him perfectly conversant

City Road Chapel, London, and its Associations, Historical, Biographical, and Memorial. By George J. Stevenson. London, G. J. Stevenson, Paternoster Row.

Convinced of th

many times after that, and we had the delig love of Christ. She has gone to be with t now regularly attend the mission."

It must occasion Mr. Orsman no looks around on the results of his persons who though once wallow gospel. Numbers of his conver of Christian uprightness in fr been instrumental in raising ameliorating power of religi in life.

Some of the rescu

others are Sabbath-school gospel.

Only to completely lane during one year fully preached at t enquirers' meeting a Sabbath-school and a free day-s Bible." Betwe winter to fai country for ... forward to As the ti very har

dissol

neigh

hari

[ocr errors]

ether with
"e any g
l rus
-te

spc dreads vertisemer.

I who foretold th.. advantageous to bot.. this intimation, lost no ti

as then much further conversat. y this means so well assured of his to entrust Schalch with putting into ment to seek an eligible situation, out of ules thereof, to which the Royal Foundry excuining different places, at length fixed en, as suitable to his purpose, and the ereccontendence."

tad a glorious future in store; for, on of the Methodists, it became the scene 4 was there that Wesley found a home sarkable preaching tours which have she apostle of Methodism. The old as stood neglected and unused, suddenly e when the Methodists purchased the lease wards From being an unsightly, dilapiace a centre of attraction and of Chrisfac tre great amount of money was expended Comů, or the era of comfortable churches for adamel Pain brick walls, and a roof which satyout dem the weather, hard benches with del calable for the first comers, were the kind of

[ocr errors]

canders of Methodism provided for their first ***ted to the Foundry by the eloquence Wong, and the congregation must have preMAAN 2° @count of the custom which prevailed wiam vinng $part. To many Londoners, whose No wonder gulres of the city, the again famous

vare a dheastasm and of religious extravaTindalinaia A' Windmill-street welcomed the change A since Jungers associated with explosions Du du di con Wadodists were in possession instead Craccourable ensissts, indeed, were of. De gar Londoners of the days of Micty de meg fe morning prayers and and be evening prayers at nine p.m. capes ★ Na hr in ode cold and darkness of winter tobioma predres ve a more genial season, the Pool, WIS LTAs se to preach if in movi des devies, and te preach, moreover,

"

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

at Methodism would unseemly disputes rophets probably d. Wesley was his friends, all ained by Dr. is mediocre phy would ns threw of their

ipts to

re is a great crowd of worshippers, att: the poet-preacher. Charles is just about to en a rumbling is heard, and the Foundry shakes urled to the ground by supernatural powers! What? arthquake! All London is terribly shaken! People from their homes in terror, and stacks of chimneys on all hands falling into the streets! With admirable tact and presence of mind, preacher at once adapts himself to the emergency. He changes the

are n

2 we

a sermon

een

text he intended using for another, from which he preaches suited to the occasion: "Therefore we will not fear though the earth be removed and the hills be carried into the midst of the sea; for the Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge."

Te

Methodism in its early days was well served by able and earnest preachers; but how those gentlemen contrived to exist on the sums doled out to them as salaries must remain an enigma to posterity. Sums of twelve pounds or sixteen pounds a year were deemed sufficient for their needs. Besides the paid preachers, there was a corps of evangelists who earned their bread by ordinary industry, and to the name of one of these a peculiar interest is attached.

Not the least remarkable among the preachers at the Foundry was John Nelson, a native of Yorkshire and a stonemason. John was a tall, powerful fellow, and in practising what pugilists call "the noble art," he had in days preceding his conversion won many laurels. John found abundance of work in London, and did his share towards rearing the mansions of the present Finsbury Square. One day while this good man was busy at his vocation with hammer and chisel, a "professional" walked up, who having heard of the local preacher's muscular skill as well as of his pulpit talents, introduced himself as the "Essex Giant," and challenged the preaching mason to stand up and fight. It was well known to John himself, and perhaps to some few others, that "the giant" could easily have been "floored" by a blow; but repressing an inclination to do this, the mason civilly replied, "Be quiet and let me alone." "The giant," however, was not one to be dismissed in that summary manner. He was importunate. He would not be denied. He came to demand a battle, and a battle he would have, if taunts and sneers could but arouse John Nelson's pugilistic blood as in days of yore. John became sorely perplexed. What should be done? Many

with all the principles of the founder's art; and being convinced of the good sense which dictated his advice, quitted the Foundry, together with all those persons who could be induced to believe that there were any grounds for apprehension. The furnaces being opened, the fluid metal rushed into the moulds, the moisture in which was instantly converted into steam, and its expansive force, acting upon the metal, drove it out in all directions with extreme violence. Part of the roof was blown off, the galleries gave way, and a scene of serious mischief and distress followed. Many of the spectators had their limbs broken, most of the workmen were burnt in a dreadful manner, and several lives were lost. A few days afterwards, an advertisement appeared in the newspapers, notifying that if the young foreigner who foretold the explosion, would call at the Ordnance Office, it might prove advantageous to both parties. Schalch, being informed through a friend of this intimation, lost no time in obeying the summons. Colonel Armstrong had then much further conversation with him on the subject, and became by this means so well assured of his superior ability, that it was finally agreed to entrust Schalch with putting into execution the intention of the Government to seek an eligible situation, out of the Metropolis, and within twelve miles thereof, to which the Royal Foundry should be removed. Schalch, after examining different places, at length fixed upon the rabbit-warren at Woolwich, as suitable to his purpose, and the erection of the works was left to his superintendence."

The now ruinous Foundry had a glorious future in store; for, on being chosen as the head-quarters of the Methodists, it became the scene. of many a spiritual conquest. It was there that Wesley found a home when not engaged in those remarkable preaching tours which have established his right to rank as the apostle of Methodism. The old factory, which for twenty years stood neglected and unused, suddenly began to show signs of life when the Methodists purchased the lease for one hundred and fifteen pounds. From being an unsightly, dilapidated pile, the premises rose into a centre of attraction and of Christian influence. It is true that no great amount of money was expended on the work of transformation; for the era of comfortable churches for Nonconformists had not dawned. Plain brick walls, and a roof which barely sufficed as a protection from the weather, hard benches with wooden back-rails, and all available for the first comers, were the kind of accommodation which the founders of Methodism provided for their first followers. Thousands were attracted to the Foundry by the eloquence of John and Charles Wesley; and the congregation must have presented a singular appearance on account of the custom which prevailed of the men and women sitting apart. To many Londoners, whose homes where on the northern confines of the city, the again famous Foundry appeared as a centre of enthusiasm and of religious extravagance, although the inhabitants of Windmill-street welcomed the change which had come over the place, since dangers associated with explosions were removed now that harmless Methodists were in possession instead of reckless cannon-casters. Unaccountable enthusiasts, indeed, were those early Methodists in the eyes of the gay Londoners of the days of George the Second. The Foundry bell rang for morning prayers and preaching a little before five a.m., and for evening prayers at nine p.m. Then at five a.m. on Sundays, whether in the cold and darkness of winter mornings, or in the delicious coolness of a more genial season, the arch-enthusiast, John Wesley himself, was almost sure to preach if in town, as well as on many week days besides, and to preach, moreover,

with apostolic earnestness. Those early Methodists also proved their faith by their works; for to Wesley the honour fell of setting up a dispensary at the Foundry, the first institution of its kind for the relief of the sick established in London. Attached to the chapel were also a poor-house for widows and children, and a loan society, by means of which agency many young beginners and struggling tradesmen were benefited for life.

Undoubtedly the Wesleys were enthusiasts, and would that we could see more of such sanctified enthusiasm. Often must the brothers have been awe-struck by the results of their own labours, as when manifestations occurred among the multitudes for which no human tongue could account. Memorable were the scenes sometimes witnessed in the old Foundry, some of which rank as historical episodes in the history of the church. Take as an example the panic which occurred on the morning of Sunday, March the 9th, 1750. Charles Wesley is in the pulpit. There is a great crowd of worshippers, attracted by the eloquence of the poet-preacher. Charles is just about to announce his text when a rumbling is heard, and the Foundry shakes as if about to be hurled to the ground by supernatural powers! What? It is an earthquake! All London is terribly shaken! People are rushing from their homes in terror, and stacks of chimneys on all hands are falling into the streets! With admirable tact and presence of mind, the preacher at once adapts himself to the emergency. He changes the text he intended using for another, from which he preaches a sermon suited to the occasion: "Therefore we will not fear though the earth be removed and the hills be carried into the midst of the sea; for the Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge."

Methodism in its early days was well served by able and earnest preachers; but how those gentlemen contrived to exist on the sums doled out to them as salaries must remain an enigma to posterity. Sums of twelve pounds or sixteen pounds a year were deemed sufficient for their needs. Besides the paid preachers, there was a corps of evangelists who earned their bread by ordinary industry, and to the name of one of these a peculiar interest is attached.

Not the least remarkable among the preachers at the Foundry was John Nelson, a native of Yorkshire and a stonemason. John was a tall, powerful fellow, and in practising what pugilists call "the noble art," he had in days preceding his conversion won many laurels. John found abundance of work in London, and did his share towards rearing the mansions of the present Finsbury Square. One day while this good man was busy at his vocation with hammer and chisel, a "professional" walked up, who having heard of the local preacher's muscular skill as well as of his pulpit talents, introduced himself as the "Essex Giant," and challenged the preaching mason to stand up and fight. It was well known to John himself, and perhaps to some few others, that "the giant" could easily have been "floored" by a blow; but repressing an inclination to do this, the mason civilly replied, "Be quiet and let me alone." "The giant," however, was not one to be dismissed in that summary manner. He was importunate. He would not be denied. He came to demand a battle, and a battle he would have, if taunts and sneers could but arouse John Nelson's pugilistic blood as in days of yore. John became sorely perplexed. What should be done? Many

« AnteriorContinuar »