CHAPTER II.

ACCOUNTS FROM GERMANY OF THE STATE OF RELIGION IN THE ENGLISH ARMY THE FIRST

CONFERENCES-THE

LABOURS OF THE BROTHERS, AND OF THEIR ASSISTANTS, DURING THE REBELLION IN SCOTLAND.

THE work of God, which it is the design of these volumes to illustrate, shews its true origin, not only in its being declared to be the privilege of every creature, but in its being received by "all sorts and conditions of men," not in the letter only, but in the Spirit. It has, indeed, been thought, and by many who are remarkable for the spirituality of their creed, not only that war is contrary to the religion of Christ, but that all who are engaged therein are excluded from its blessings. It is evident, however, that no Prophet, or Apostle, nor their blessed Master, has told us so. He shewed his good-will to men thus awfully employed, with as much benignity as to any others. We know that when the Gospel has had its full effect on the human race, it will banish war from the earth. Meantime, all hostility between man and man is totally forbidden: But where is the MAGISTRATE forbidden to go to war? To deprive him of his sword while the world lieth in wickedness, seems a bold design; nor will its being sometimes used unrighteously, excuse the attempt. I am, therefore, happy in being able to present to the reader some proofs, that the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, can keep the hearts' of those who know Him, in the midst of those scenes so revolting not only to pure religion, but also to humanity. A few letters which Mr. Wesley received about this time, from some of the English soldiers in Germany, will illustrate what I have said. The principal VOL. II.

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instrument of the work therein related was afterwards a preacher, in connexion with Mr. Wesley, for several years; and his life has been published. I shall give those letters together, though written at some distance of time from each other, as they will afford a more complete view of this work of God in the British army.

"REV. SIR,

"We marched to the camp near Brussels on the 1st of May, 1744. There a few of us joined in a society, being sensible, where two or three are gathered together in his name, there is our Lord in the midst of them. Our place of meeting was a small wood, near the camp. We remained in this camp eight days, and then removed to a place called Arsk. Here I began to speak openly, at a small distance from the camp, just in the middle of the English army. And here it pleased God to give me some evidences, that my labour was not in vain. We sung a hymn, which drew about two hundred soldiers together, and they all behaved decently. After I had prayed, I began to exhort them; and though it rained very hard, yet very few went away. Many acknowledged the truth; in particular a young man, John Greenwood, who has kept with me ever since, and whom God has lately been pleased to give me for a fellow-labourer. Our society is now increased to upwards of two hundred, and the hearers are frequently more than a thousand; although many say I am mad, and others have endeavoured to incense the Field-marshal against us. I have been sent for, and examined several times. But, blessed be God, he has always delivered me.

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Many of the officers have come to hear for themselves, often nine or ten at a time. I endeavour to lose no opportunity. During our abode in the camp at Arsk, I have preached thirty-five times in seven days. One of those times a soldier, who was present, called aloud to his comrades to

come away, and not hear that fool any longer. But it pleased God to send the word spoken to his heart, so that he roared out in the bitterness of his soul for a considerable time; and then He, who never fails those that seek him, turned his heaviness into joy. He is now never so happy as when he is proclaiming the loving-kindness of God his Saviour.

But the

"I was a little shocked at my first entrance on this great work, because I was alone, having none to help me. Lord helped me, and soon raised up William Clements, and, in June, John Evans, belonging to the train [of Artillery,] to my assistance. Since we have been in this camp, we have built two small tabernacles, in which we meet at eight in the morning, at three in the afternoon, and seven at night; and commonly two whole nights in each week.*

"Since I began to write this, we are come to our quarters, so that our society is now divided. Some of us are in Bruges, and some in Ghent. But it has pleased the Lord to leave neither place without a teacher: For John Greenwood and I are in this city, and B. Clements and Evans are in Ghent. So that we trust our Lord will carry on his work in both places.

"We that are in Bruges have hired a small place, in which we meet; and our dear Lord is in the midst of us. Many times the tears run down every face, and joy reigns in every heart.

"I shall conclude with a full assurance of your prayers, with a longing desire to see you. O, when will the joyful meeting be! Perhaps, not on this side death. If not, my Master's will be done!

"Your unworthy brother in the Lord,

"To the Rev. Mr. Wesley."

"JOHN HAIME."

* The Duke of Cumberland came one night, wrapt up in his cloak, and staid the whole time. He afterwards gave orders that no person should hinder Haime.

"REV. SIR.

"GHENT, Nov. 12, O. S., 1744.

"We made bold to trouble you with this, to acquaint you with some of the Lord's dealings with us here. We have hired two rooms, one small one, wherein a few of us meet every day at one o'clock; and another large one for public service, where we meet twice a day, at nine in the morning and four in the afternoon; and the hand of the omnipotent God is with us, to the pulling down of the strongholds of Satan.

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"The 7th instant, when we were met together in the evening, as I was at prayer, one that was kneeling by me, cried out, (like a woman in travail,) My Redeemer! my Redeemer!,' which continued about ten minutes. When he was asked, What was the matter?,' he said, He had found that which he had often heard of, that is, a heaven upon earth!, and some others had much ado to forbear crying out in the same manner.

"Dear Sir, I am a stranger to you in the flesh. I know not if I have seen you above once, when I saw you preaching on Kennington Common. And then I hated you as much as now, by the grace of God, I love you. The Lord pursued me with convictions from my infancy, and I often made abundance of good resolutions. But finding, as often, that I could not keep them, (as being made wholly in my own strength,) I at length left off all striving, and gave myself over to all manner of lewdness and profaneness. So I continued for some years, till the battle of Dettingen. The balls then came very thick about me, and my comrades fell on every side. Yet I was preserved unhurt. A few days after this, the Lord was pleased to visit me again. The pains of hell gat hold upon me; the snares of death encompassed me. I durst no longer commit any outward sin, and I prayed God to be merciful to my soul. Now I was at a loss for books; but God took care for this also. One day as I was

at work, I found an old Bible in one of the train-waggons. To read this, I soon forsook my old companions; all but one, who was still a thorn in my flesh. But, not long after, he sickened and died.

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My Bible was now my only companion, and I believed myself a very good Christian, till we came to winter quarters, where I met with John Haime. But I was soon sick of his company: For he robbed me of my treasure; he stole away my gods, telling me, I and my works were going to hell together.' This was strange doctrine to me, whɔ, being wholly ignorant of the righteousness of Christ, sought only to establish my own righteousness. And being naturally of a stubborn temper, my poor brother was so perplexed with me, that sometimes he was resolved, (as he afterwards told me,) to forbid my coming to him any more.

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"When the Lord had at length opened my eyes, and shewn me that by grace we are saved, through faith,' I began immediately to declare it to others, though I had not as yet experienced it myself. But, October 23, as William Clements was at prayer, I felt on a sudden a great alteration in my soul. My eyes overflowed with tears of love. I knew I was through Christ reconciled to God; which inflamed my soul with fervent love to him, whom I now saw to be my complete Redeemer.

"O the tender care of Almighty God, in bringing up his children! How are we bound to love so indulgent a Father, and to fall down in wonder and adoration of his great and glorious name for his tender mercies!-Dear Sir, I beg you will pray for him, who is not worthy to be a door-keeper to the least of my Master's servants,

"JOHN EVANS."*

* He continued both to preach and to live the Gospel till the battle of Fontenoy. One of his companions saw him there, laid across a cannon, (both his legs having been taken off by a chain-shot,) praising God, and exhorting all that were round about him; which he did, till his spirit returned to God.