Robert W. Woodruff
Library
Special Collections
EMORY UNIVERSITY
FATHER REEVES—See page 6J.
JfatJer
THE MODEL CLASS-LEADER.
■' Talk not of talents; what hast thou to do?
Thy duty he thy portion—-Jive or two :
Talk not of talents; is thy duty done ?
Thou hadst sufficient, were they ten or one.
Lord, what my talents are I cannot tell,
Till thou shalt give me grace to use them well:
That grace impart, the bliss will then be mine,
But all the power and all the glory thine."
J. Montgomery.
By EDWARD CORDEROY.
with
AN INTRODUCTION BY THOS. 0. SUMMERS,
ipaslibillje, Spirit:
PUBLISHED BY E. STEVENSON & F. A. OWEN, AGENTS,
for the methodist episcopal church, south.
1855.
PRINTED BY A. A. STITT,
METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE, NASHVILLE, TENX.
PREFACE.
The writer of the following is aware that
ere are in the world already "many books"
■more by far than are ever perused to edi-
ation; but whether or not books enough
their proper influences over the young,
pecially, is a question. But of this much
; are informed, that the young do not peruse
many as is desirable of a direct religious
aracter. To this, at least, the present effort
n lay claim, and, in its truth and simplicity,
ay be recommended to the hearts &nd un-
:rstandings of the young. It is an honest,
ough humble attempt to do some good:—
is accomplished, and it has fulfilled its mis-
on, and realized the hopes and answered
ie prayers of
The Authok.
Columbia. 8. G.
TO THE
Sttofca, antr gUmto
OF THE
WESLEYAN METHODIST SOCIETY
AT LAMBETH,
THIS LITTLE WORK IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED
BY THEIR FRIEND AND FELLOW-LABOURER,
EDWARD CORDEROY.
X*
5
CONTENTS.
CHAP.
Introduction
I.—Lambeth Chapel
II.—Autobiography
III.—Providential Guidance and Care
IV.—The Religion of Relatives Sought......
V.—Prayer Meetings and Strangers' Friend
Society
VI.—As a Class-Leader Seeking Members...
VII. How he led a class
VIII.—Leadership Continued
IX.—No Duty Neglected
X.—Father Reeves and His Members
XI.—His Religious Experience
XII.—Religious Character and Experience...
XIII.—Recent Experience and Death
XIV.—Funeral
One Word to Methodist Class-Leaders
PAGE
9
15
19
29
37
41
48
62
76
83
94
101
115
127
135
141
7
INTRODUCTION.
To many persons uthe short and simple an¬
nals" of Father Reeves, will present nothing
attractive; but to others they will be full of in¬
terest, as they detail the means by which an
obscure, illiterate man became an eminently use¬
ful Christian, and the model class-leader of the
nineteenth century.
The special worth of this little book consists in
the light which it casts on that too much neg¬
lected and misrepresented, yet invaluable institu¬
tion of the church—the class-meeting. This vital
element of organized Christianity is recognised in
the New Testament in all those passages which
inculcate the duties of mutual oversight and
Christian conference—in some form or other,
except in times of declension, it nas obtained in
the church in every age and clime—and it is
never properly attended to without spiritual profit.
In large societies we do not see how proper pas-
9
10
INTRODUCTION.
toral attentions can be secured, or discipline ad¬
ministered, or Christian fellowship maintained,
without an institution embodying the essential
features oft the class-meeting—the leadership of
which, with obvious propriety, is considered an
adjunct of the pastoral office.
It cannot, however, be denied that in many
instances, class-meetings fail to produce the ends
for which they were appointed; and it is a ques¬
tion of grave interest, What is the reason-of these
failures ? Why is it that even spiritually-minded
persons complain that class-meetings are, to them,
clouds without water? They attend them faith¬
fully, because it is the law of the church for them
so to do) but they do not derive much pleasure or
profit from their attendance.
The answer which we give to this question is,
The class-leaders are not men of the proper stamp,
they do not take pains to prepare and qualify
themselves for their office—they do not make it
their business, as far as circumstances will allow,
to read, and think, and pray for the souls com¬
mitted to their oversight—their class-leading is
consequently a monotonous affair, burdensome
alike to themselves and to their members.
It is not for the want of brilliant talents and
superior abilities, that they fail to be useful. In¬
deed, we have met with many class-leaders who
INTRODUCTION.
11
jus4 knew their Bible true, and were just able
to read it, wbo, nevertheless, were valuable assist¬
ants of their ministers, and were had deservedly
in high estimation by their fellow-Christians over
whom they were placed;
Of this class, Father Beeves was an eminent
^example. At the time of his conversion, which
took place in the twenty-ninth year of his age, he
could not read a chapter in the Bible, but he
learned to read it " by spelling out the words on
his knees." The book of God then became the
man of his counsel; he made great use of it in
leading his classes, and induced his members- to
make it their constant and careful study. This
accounts for his great usefulness, and for the en¬
lightened and consistent piety of those of whom
he had the oversight.
We could specify a man occupying a lowly
position in life, yet a very useful Christian, the
leader of a class in one of our cities. Among his
members was the celebrated Dr. S., who, notwith¬
standing his pressing professional engagements,
"found it convenient to attend his class nearly every
Sunday morning. On one occasion, the learned
Dr. Stuart of Andover, being on a visit at the
house of Dr. S., obtained permission to accom¬
pany him to the class. The leader, not knowing
the stranger, " led him" as if he had been 'an
12
INTRODUCTION.
ordinary member of bis own eommnnion. After
the exercises were concluded and tbe two doctors
had retired, tbe great theologian remarked to bis
Methodist friend, "And this is what you call
class-meeting ! I do not wonder that the Method¬
ists are generally more deeply experienced in the
things of Grod, and more zealous than other Chris-,
tians, if they are disciplined after this fashion. I
never before met with a man so ready with appro¬
priate answers to suit every one's spiritual con¬
dition, as your leader—do tell me who he is."
His astonishment was increased when he ascer¬
tained the circumstances of the -man, from whom
he had derived so much edification.
Now, if a man in the inferior walks of life, by
studying to improve his talents, may acquire so
great a capacity for usefulness in the class-leader's
vocation, what may not be the case with others
more favourably circumstanced, provided, in the
proper sense, they magnify their office ?
We know a professional man, who, like Father
Reeves, was, and for aught we know still is, the
leader of three large classes — he had a most ex¬
tensive practice—he was the conductor of a re¬
spectable Journal, the organ of his profession—he
was president and member of several societies—
he usually preached weekly two or three acceptable
sermons, one of them in the capacity of chaplain
INTRODUCTION.
13
to a military establishment—he never seemed to be
in a hurry—was scarcely ever too late at any
appointment; and we do not remember that we ever
heard of his absence from the meeting of any of
his classes. He had more than a hundred souls
committed to his oversight: in times of revival
multitudes would throng his classes,,- and he re¬
commended none of them for reception into full
membership, until he had seen them as often as
was necessary in the class-room, and once at least
in their own houses. It is no great marvel, that
seldom or never were any of his probationers
" dropped," or that his members .grew in grace
and in knowledge, or that they loved and reve¬
renced him as a spiritual father. A case like this
shows what may be done when a man has " a
mind to the work."
Let all our clasis-leaders be men of this stamp,
devout, painstaking, punctual, and zealous men,
whatever may be their grade of intellect, or their
mental acquirements; and the complaints against
class-meetings will be confined to Isaac Taylor and
others like him, who know nothing about the in¬
stitution.
As an example and stimulus to class-leaders,
we recommend this book to their serious perusal,
let every leader read it himself, and put a copy
of it into the hands of every member of his class.
2
14
introduction.
Let ministers also read it, and give it a wide cir¬
culation. It will scarcely fail to interest and profit
tlie reader, be be lofty or low.
The Editor.
Charleston, S. C., June 29, 1854.
FATHER REEYES.
CHAPTER I.
THE GREAT ENDS OF CHRISTIAN BIOGRAPHY ARE IN¬
STRUCTION AND EXAMPLE. BY FAITHFULLY DESCRIBING
THE LIVES OF MEN EMINENT FOR GODLINESS, WE NOT
ONLY EMBALM THEIR MEMORY, BUT FURNISH OURSELVES
WITH FRESH MATERIALS AND MOTIVES FOR A HOLY LIFE.
FULLER.
lambeth chapel.
A little more than thirty years ago, the
^active men in London Methodism made con¬
siderable efforts at chapel extension, and
Lambeth Chapel was among those erected,
through their instrumentality, in the year
1808.
Churches were few, evangelical preaching
rare, and the ministry of such men as Benson,
Clarke, More, and others, was a powerful at¬
traction, and a large congregation was soon
gathered. The Lambeth society was an ex¬
cellent one; there were men of intelligence,
piety, and good social position at its head.
By degrees, however, many of these were re-
16
FATHER REEVES.
moved, either by death, or to other localities;
by degrees, also, other places for 'worship were
opened, and both the society and congregation
frequently changed in its leading features.
Very'few remain who were connected with
with Lambeth Methodism in 1808. One aged
saint, who has survived all her contemporaries
and many of her juniors, and two or three
gray-headed men, who were then in the prime
of early manhood, are about all who now
worship at the chapel, who were at all known
in the society at Lambeth forty-four years
ago.
But Lambeth Chapel has not been opened
in vain. Multitudes have there heard the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, embraced
its invitations, and died in the faith; and
though manifold changes have taken place,
the present generation of worshippers listen to
the same truths, sing the same hymns, and
converse, in their class meetings, of the same
heaven, as those who first crowded within the
chapel walls.
In the winter of 1808, a poor young country¬
man, who had lived some three years in the
neighbourhood, but without God, and without
hope, softened through afiliction, found his
way to Lambeth Chapel. It was the first
M-onday evening in December. He was en¬
tirely unknown to ^preacher and congrega¬
tion ; but the service was for him, as though
LAMBETH CHAPEL.
17
no one else was present. 'He listened—he
trembled. The message to the Laodicean
church was read; the tones struck sharply
and terrible on his conscience ; it appeared
as though the Saviour once more uttered the
words, " Behold, I stand at the door and
knock ; if any man hear my voice and open
the door, I will come in to him, and will sup
with him and he with me."
Here was Christ's appeal, here the sinner's
opportunity; The young man opened hjs
heart to the heavenly visitant, tears of re¬
pentance were shed, holy resolutions formed,
and the way of life deliberately and decisively
chosen.
Mr. William Reeves joined the Methodist
society immediately, and about a month after
obtained peace wTith God. He had reached
the age of twenty-eight, and yet was scarcely
able to read. He wanted to read his Bible,
and he spread the book before the Lord, and,
praying for divine aid, he spelt out the words,
and accomplished his wishes.
His prospects in this life* seemed limited,
for he possessed only very humble abilities;
yet devoting these with singular entireness
of purpose to the service of God, he was
borne at length to the grave amidst the la¬
mentations of more than two thousand people,
who recognised and " glorified the grace of
God" in him.
2*
18
FATHER REEVES.
Few among the congregation where he was
so powerfully and effectually convinced of sin
would think any thing of the probable course
of the poor apd ignorant young man before
them; they would rejoice that another soul
had yielded to the Saviour, but think little
ijiore of the event! Yet in that young
countryman there lay an earnestness nf in¬
tention, a consecration of soul to one object,
which God, 'notwithstanding educational de¬
ficiencies, so abundantly honoured, that, as far
as human judgment can form an estimate of
usefulness, the Lambeth society has never
had a mati, no matter what his station or ad¬
vantages, so eminently useful as the late
loved and honoured Father Reeves. A few
pages of this little book are devoted to the
exhibition of his character as a class-leader,
prayer-leader, visitor of the sick, and private
Christian. But first, however, let the reader
take a fragment of autobiography.
autobiography.
19
CHAPTER II.
WHO THAT HATH EVER BEEN,
COULD BEAR TO BE NO MORE ?
YET WHO WOULD TREAD AGAIN THE SCENE
HE TROD THROUGH LIFE BEFORE ?
J. MONTGOMERY
autobiography.
"William Reeves was born in the parish
of Cudham, in Kent, December 15, 1779.
My parents had no saving knowledge of God,
though they lived a reputable, moral life.
Having a large family, they could not put
their children to school, so that we had no
learning; only our dear parents taught us
the Lord's Prayer and the Belief, and told
us of heaven and hell, for which I pray that
God would bless them.
" As soon as I was able, I went to work
with my father as a farmer's boy ; and when
a child, I often had the fear of God beforp
my eyes, and felt his Spirit striving with me;
but not knowing what it was I sbon quenched
it. I remember also the sore temptation of
20
FATHER REEVES.
the devil. When I was about ten or eleven
years of age, Satan tempted me to curse God.
I trembled at the thought of it, and knew
not \vhat I should curse God for ; however,
this temptation followed me for many days,
and became stronger and stronger, till one
day—I shall never forget the place—Satan
got the mastery, and I—0 wretch !—I cursed
God in my heart; and then, yrhenever I went
to the place, or thought of it, I was miserable.
Again, two years after, in 1792, as I was
gleaning, in the month of August, there was
an eclipse of the sun, and Satan tempted me
to curse. Here I also yielded to my sorrow.
All these things I kept to myself, and it was
of God's mercy that he did not send me to
hell.
" About 1794 I left my dear parents, and
hired myself to a farmer for one year. There
were many in that place that had no fear of
God before their eyes, and I joined with
them in all their excesses of riot. I stayed
.there two years, and then went to another
and a Avorse place. Here Satan had his will
of me; the fear of God left me in a great
degree, and conscience became hardened. I
stayed there one year. In 1797 I returned
^o my parents; and, for a little time, refrain¬
ed, from some sins, and thought a little more
of God. This did not last long. I now
thought myself a man, and resolved to leave
AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
21
my dear parents again. Then my dear father
gave me the advice" he had often given before
whenever I left him, and which I never en¬
tirely forgot. These were his words : ' Will,
do not forget God; always say your prayers
wherpver you are.'
"So, in the year 1798, I went to Eltham,
in Kpnt. .Here I lived in all manner of sin
for two years, and yet the good Spirit of God
would strive .with me, and I would then make
resolutions to serve him; but 0, how soon
did I forget to perform them 1 But God, in
his great love, found out a better place for
me. In the year 1801 I agreed with a mas¬
ter wheelwright to be apprenticed to him for
three years. This was at Wigmore, near
Bromley, Kent. I believe he was a good
man. He belonged to Mr. Wesley's society,
and he used all the means he could to get mfe
to join the society. I did so, and attended
the prayer meeting on Sunday morning, the
preaching, and my class very regularly for
three quarters of a year; and here I was
more deeply'convinced of sin than I had ever
been, so that I was often obliged to go into
the outbuildirfgs and fall on my knees and cry
to God for mercy.
"But my master had gn ungodly1 son near
my own age. I gave way to him, and fol¬
lowed the pleasures of this'world, again, and
so broke off from'the.means of grace a little at
22
FATHER REEVES.
a time, and only went when it suited me ; hut,
by the mercy of God, I was kept from gross
sins. Thus I went on for a year and a quarter
longer ; then, being annoyed by the younger
sons, tempted by the devil and by trials in
the world, I left my master before my time
was out.
" I then sought work as a journeyman in
my trade. God had so blessed "me in two
years Avith readiness to learn my trade that
I could do almost any thing at 'it. I then
went to Woolwich Warren, and got some work
promised; but, before beginning, I went to
see my parents. My dear father, Tearing the
dreadful company that was in the Warren, got
me employment with-a wheelwright near home.
" I kept in work one year, and had much
of the fear of God before my eyes, and my
father and I attended very often a little chapel
at Knockholt, belonging to Mr. Wesley ; and
I often found God so striving Avith me, that
in the fields I have been obliged to fall on
my knees and cry to him ; but I did not fully
understand the way of salvation, therefore
I did not enjoy it.
"I had a sincere friend in London in the
coach-building trade, and he was so kind as
to get me work in thattraSde, which was much
better than* my former business. So, in the
year 1805, I came to London. Here I was
exposed to many temptations I had not seen
AUTOBIOGRAPHY-
23
before ; but at first the fear of God kept me.
I often used private prayer; this, however,
soon ceased, and I began to break the Sab¬
bath, t© get hardened, and to run into all sin
with greediness.
" But my cpnscience would sometimes smite
me, and then the devil would tell me that that
was not the time to serve God,, but after I had
got more of this world's goods, or after I had
seen a little more of "this world's pleasure;
and thus the devil led me on "for two years,
and at last. he told me I should give myself
to God after I was married; #nd I never shall
forget the promises I made to God, on my
knees, in the shop, a day or two before I mar¬
ried. I- promised if he would give me the
desire of my eyes I would then give him all
my heart. God gave me my wife on October
5, 1807; but 0, how soon did I break my
vow to him ! Here I would say, indeed God
is long forbearing, and it is of his mercy that
I was not consumed. Here also I would no¬
tice the love of God to me in giving me a
wife so agreeable to my desire; a sober, honest,
loving industrious one, that strove to make us
comfortable in this life ; und I bless God, not¬
withstanding my other sins, he kept me from
idleness and drunkenness.
" But my poor, dear wife knew nothing
of God. "She had sometimes attended her
church, but knew not how she should be saved,
24
FATHER BRUTES.
and very seldom thought of (rod at iall j so I
kept God's dealings with me to myself.
" I had but little money; for, what with
putting myself apprentice at twenty-one years
of age, and learning" two trades before I
was married, I had only six pounds after
the wedding was over, -and tjaere were no
friends on either side to give us so much as
one shillings so I took a ready-furnished
room at seven shillings a week, £or> seven
weeks, and then my employer advanced me
money to get a bed, a table, and chairs ; and
thus we began thjs life together.
" All this time I neglected the vows that
I had made, till—.0, that blessed date!—
July, 1808. Lord help me never to forget
it! My dear wife was taken ill, confined to
her bed for many weeks, and her sufferings
were so great, none but those who saw her can
have more than a faint idea of them. This
affliction continued, more or less, for seven
years. -But she had not been afflicted more
than a week before I "was taken very ill, so
that we did not know which would die first;
for we lay together on the bed, and could not
help one -another; and though J was not so
full of pain as my dear wife, yet the care I
had what we should do to live was great, for
one day we had only two-pence l.eft, and I
knew not where to go for more ; but the Lord
provided in a way unknOwiU
AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
25
" But this was not the greatest of my afflic¬
tion ; for then all my sins and unpaid vows came
before me, so that I saw and felt, if I died, hell
must be my portions 0, the agony of soul I
thefi felt! J began to cry for mercy and for
God to raise me up again; and that- hind and,
merciful God, who had been so many times
mercjful to me, once more heard hie and
restored my health. As soon as I was
able, I went to a place of worship and as
often as I could. Fer several weeks I went
from one place of worship to another, seek¬
ing to find ,one of Mr. Wesley's; for I
thought I knew more about his preachers
than any others. So it pleased the Lord,
on the first rMonday evening iu December,
1808, to lead me into Lambeth Chapel.
0, the blessed hour I ever set my feet
over that sill! That dear man of God—
for so he was to me—Mr. William Vipond,
preached that night from Revelation iii. 20.
'Behold, I stand at the door and knock,' &c.
" He then described the many ways God
made use "of to knock at a sinner's heart;
and every way he described was just the way
God had knocked at my heart, and I had
shut him out. 0, the agony I then felt!
Every description was like a two-edged sword
to my soul. This was much deeper conviction
than ever I had felt before; my knees smote
together, and I thought I should sink info-hell.
3
26
FATHER REEVES.
" As soon as the sermon was ended I was
constrained to go trembling bj myself into
the vestry, to the dear man of God, to know
what I should do. He then tried to give me
some comfort, and spoke many comfortable
words to me ; but, alas ! I could take no
comfort. He then spoke to Mr. Shaw to take
me to his class, which he did the next night.
" After chapel, I went home to my dear
wife, and took the Bible, and sat down and
wept. She asked me what I wept for; 1
told her I was such a great sinner, and if
she and I died in such a state we must go to
hell. I then began to pray 'in secret, and
read my Bible at all opportunities,* and
strove for some time to make myself better
by my own good works.
" I could get no rest day nor night, and
what added to my sorrow was, my dear wife
began to persecute me. This was a new and
he-avy trial, because it came from one I loved"
* How very imperfectly our lamented friend could
read at this time may be learned from an extract from
one of Iris papers, printed at length in chapter vii: " I,
William Reeves,am the oldest member in the class, and I
could not read q chapter in the word of God vfhen I
was oonverted; but now, blessed forever be the Lord!
I can say, ' Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a
light unto my patE-'"
At a recent quarterly meeting he confessed tearfully,
but joyfully, that'"he learned to readhis Bible by
spelling' out the words on his knees."
AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
27
and from whom I expectecf comfort; but, 0 !
to my sorrow, she got worse!
"I then began to pray with her, which at
"•first was a great cross ; but blessed be God
who giveth grace, my prayers were heard and
answered; the Lord convinced her of sin;
she went to class with me, and this gave me
great joy.
"Our worldly companions then-began to
forsake us, because-, when they came to see
us, our conversation was changed; and this
they did not like; so they soon all forsook
us, and we forsook our Sunday pleasures.
We gave up,buying on that day, and cooking
Sunday dinners; and I hope we shall never
return to the practice. We then began to
get a new company with the people of God,
and they now became our delight. In about
a month the Lord was pleased to set my soul
at liberty. 0, that happy moment! The
Lord help me to praise him, and never to
forget it! I then began to see the worth of
precious souls, and that I had something
more to do than merely to save my own soul.
I began to rebuke sin wherever I saw it, and
when I heard of any person-- sick, I could not
rest till I had been to see them and told them
of heaven and hell, and that they must re¬
pent, and what God had done for my soul.
I was so ignorant that I thought -they would
believe all and receive all I said, and be
28
FATHER REEVES.
saved. If they were in distress, I gave them
all I had in my pocket. I then heard of the
Benevolent or Stranger's Friend Society, and
was recommended to it by my leader; so I
joined that blessed work of the Lord, to 'the
joy of my heart-
w My dear wife and I continued in Mr.
Shaw's class till he went to America, and
then that dear man of God, Mr. Milburm,
took the class, and he not only became fny
leader, hut my father, brother, and friend.
0, that the Lord may make mo thankful!
'■In that class I continued till it seemed good
unto the Lord to remove me to be a leader of
a class, December 8,1818-. 0, that the Lord
may make me faithful in that important work,
and help* me to speak for eternity ! This was,
indeed, a trial almost too great for me to
bear, as I felt my own unworthiness for th&t
great work. 0, that this may lead me nearer
to God, who only can keep my soul!"
providential- guidance and care. 29
CHAPTER III.
happy the man whose hopes belt
on Israel's sod ; ue made the sky,
THE EARTH AND SEA, WITH ALL THEIR TRAIN
HIS TRUTH FOREVER STANDS^ SECURE ;
HE SAVES THE OPPRESSED, HE FEEDS THE POOR,
AND NONE SHALL FIND HIS PROMISE VAIN.
DR. WATTS—PARAPHRASE.
providential guidance and care.
In one of the many closely-written hooks
which Mr. Reeves has left behind him, he has
recorded " the special and particular provi¬
dence of his ever-blessed God and Father."
He narrates that in early youth he had " a-
strong and covetous desire to become rich,"
but praises the goodness of the Lord who
would never permit him " to have a god of
silver and gold." When he was convinced
of sin he besought- the Lord "to give him
neither poverty nor riches, but his pardoning
love ; to give him bread and water with the
love of Jesus;" and then he vowed "to de¬
vote all his life,to the glory of God." The
3*
30
FATHER REEVES.
Lord pardoned his sins, and added the mode¬
rate but sufficient comforts which a mechanic
could command.
Mr. Reeves probably never earned more
than forty shillings per week—in most of his
best days rarely more than thirty-five; yet
he always maintained a comfortable though
frugal home ; always sustained according to
'his ability the institutions of Methodism;
saved a trifle for old age; and late in life
records, rejoicingly, "that the Lord blessed
him in soul and body, in basket and in store,"
and " had indeed led him into green pastures,
and beside still waters, and had given him all
he required."
This is strong language for a journeyman
coach-maker,#who, at the time it was written,
was not able, from advanced age and other
causes, to earn twenty shillings a week—who
had infirm health, a wife to maintain, and
many claims on his charity from the sick he
delighted to visit; but, strong as it is, it was
felt.
For twenty-seven years, from 1814 to 1841,
he was employed on the same premises, and
by one family, if his he deemed a great bless¬
ing, and daily, during that long period did he
seek one particular spot in the yard, where,
under shelter of some planks leaning against
each other, he poured out his soul in earnest
prayer for himself, his wifq, his class, the
providential guidance and care. 31
sick, the church, and the world, never forget-
ing his master and his family.
The following note, from the son of his
respected employer, is a testimony to his
worth :
"Lambeth, November 27, 1852.
" Dear Sir :—In reply to your note, I have
personally known Mr. Reeves for upwards of
twenty years. I have, while learning my
business, worked in the same shop with him.
He worked foy my father before I was born,
and for my father's brother and self altogether
twenty-seven years. I have under these cir¬
cumstances known him intimately, known him
in his every-day life, and sometimes under try¬
ing and provoking circumstances ; yet I never
once knew him to forget his obligations as a
Christian. He was universally respected by
his shopmates; and, although it frequently
happened that some would revile and make a
mock at his religion, yet, as they were longer
acquainted with him, they were bound to re¬
spect and honour his consistent character. It
has never been my lot to meet with a more
truly humble$ consistent, zealous Christian,
in my life.
" I am, dear sir, yours truly,
" Henry Heeeer."
A few years after the appointment of Mr.
32
FATHER REEVES.
Reeves as a leader, his classes were largely
increased. Then came a time of triaL
He found that working "from-six o'clock
in the morning to eight at night," left hi#
" time to visit the sick and the absent mem¬
bers too short." He felt called upon to make
sacrifices; his faith in God's promises was
put to the'test; for, to secure the time he
required, he must give up six or seven shil¬
lings per week. But, by faith in God and
from love to souls, he did it. Here is his
own account of the conflict and the triumph:
" I felt it my duty to sacrifice much more
of my time for the Lord, to look after the
little flock, so that they he. not lost or wander
hack ; and now the enemy and carnal reason,
who ever stand" united to prevent if possible
any of God's dear children, however mean,
from doing the will of their heavenly Father,
began to set me to reasoning thus: ' Why,
you will soon begin to grow old; you are now
much afflicted in body, your club is broken
up, and it is sinful not to provide for your
own household before sickness and old age;
and yofi know it would be a- grief to your
mind as long as you live to be a burden to
the church of Christ; and besides, six or
seven shillings is a large sum to sacrifice;
and your. Christian friends will think you
have been a very lazy man.' These, and a
great number of such like vain thoughts
PROVIDENTIAL-GUIDANCE AND CARE. 3&
flowed into my mind for several days; but I
took them all into my closet, and, like Heze-
kiah, I spread them before my heavenly Fa¬
ther, and prayed him to make his blessed will
known to me, and by the strength of Divine
grace, enable me to- do it.
"And, glory be to God, who is Over stand¬
ing ready to hear a poor sinner's prayer ! he
soon made his will known to me by the power
of his Holy Spirit convincing poor sinners of
sin, and manifesting to them his pardoning
love when I went to visit the sick; and so he
increased the number of our Classes. Thus
I went on trusting in the mercy of the Lord
Jesus for about twenty years."
A poor mechanic sacrificing six to seven
shillings per week^ that he might give the
time to the Lord, is an act of faith and de¬
votion rarely performed, and is worthy the
consideration of men of superior social posi¬
tion, who will willingly give a subscription to
a benevolent object, in order to do good bf
proxy, but who shun personal sebvie^ " Obe¬
dience is better than sacrifice;" a subscrip¬
tion costs a rich man little, and it is not clear,
from Scripture, that any thing ghdrt of per¬
sonal devotion to the cause of God will be
accepted by him who has said, " Occupy1- till
I come."
After MiyRejeves's employer died, the busi¬
ness was curtailed, so that; for many month^,
father reeves.
our friend had but little work; he felt him¬
self feeble, and could not stand to do a whole
day's labour. These were trials; but Provi¬
dence appeared, A beloved friend, hearing
of his position, invited hinr to his house,
talked of his circumstances, and, with two
others like-minded, arranged to pay his rent
quarterly.
This was needed; for his earnings, after
1840, appear to have been very small—con¬
siderably under twenty shillings per week.
And, in 1846, they had diminished to £36
8s. 8d.; in 1847, they were reduced to £21
8s. lid.; in 1848, they only came to <£8 2s.
2d.; and at the close of the last year's ac¬
counts, he adds:
" Received the last fruits of my hands'
labour in this world, of Mr. John Baker, a
coach-maker^ when I was palt seventy years
of age. 0, that I may at last be able to
say, ' I cease at once to work and live.'
Lord, "help me 1 Wm. Reeves."
In another plaee he says,- " I commenced
working at six years old, and, by the mercy
of God, I Was able to work hard till I was
seventy." '
His small stock- of savings was diminishing;
but, in 1845, another dear friend, who went
before Mr. Reeves to heaven, saw a placard
stating "fhat a vacancy had' occurred among
PROVIDENTIAL GUIDANCE AND CARE. 35
the pensioners on the Walcot Charity; and,
finding Mr. Reeves entitled to become a
claimant on this fund, provided for parish¬
ioners of Lambeth, by an act of piety in
olden time, he, with others, moved the trus¬
tees to place Mr. Reeves on the list of
pensioners, and thus <£16 16s. a year were
secured for life.
For this, dear Father Reeves was'full of
gratitude to God and his friends. It is the
Lord's doing," he Writes, "and it is marvel¬
lous in my eyes, who am not worthy of the
least of all his fuercies; and yet the Lord
thought of a poor sinner, when I never
thought of or expected either of these un¬
speakable benefits and blessings. Now I am
old and very feeble, being full of bodily pain;
so here I prove the Lord is a faithful God of
love. He hath said, ' Seek ye first the king¬
dom of God and his righteousness, and all
these things shall be added unto you.' 0,
how much better sind sweeter is all this than
thousands of pounds of gold and silver laid
up in store ; and then to get lazy, and not
have one desire or one hour's time in the day
to visit Jesus, in the hungry, the stranger,
the naked, the sick, and the thirsty!
' When all thy mercies, 0 my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view* I'm lost
In wonder, love, and praise.' "
36 FATHER <R?EVES.
"And now;" added the good old many " I
have been thanking my heavenly Father for
the gifts of his special , and particular provn
dence bestowed on me; and it jnst occurs to
my mind, I have left off where I ought to
have begun—" Thanks he unto God for his
unspeakable gift," 2 Cor. ix. 15; and thanks
be to my blessed Jesus, ' who loved me, and
gave himself for me.' Gab ii. 20.
' I thank theej uncreated Sun,
That thy bright beams on me have shined ;
I thank thee,, who hast overthrown
My foes, and- heal'd my wounded mind ;
I thank thee, whose enlivening voice,
Bids my'freed heart in thee rejoice '"
religion of relatives sought. 87
CHAPTER IV.
a sinner, saved myself from sin,
i come my eamily to win,
to preach their sins forgiven ;
children, and wife, and servants seize,
and Through the paths of pleasantness,
conduct them all to heaven. c. wesley.
THE RELIGION OF RELATIVES SOUGHT.
In his own account it has been seen thai
no sooner was Mr. Reetes effectually con¬
vinced of sin, than he faithfully admonished
his dear wife. He prayed and wej)t alone;
she derided his fears and troubles ; then, with
true devotion to his duty, he prayed " with
her," in her presence and aloud1; and soon
her heaft was touched. She lived to wit¬
ness a good confession, and died happy in the
Lord. In the morning on which she experi¬
enced the attack pf illness which proved fatal,
Mr. Reeves was So abundantly and peculiarly
blessed, at the throhe of grace, that he was
led to cry out, " Lord, wh&t doth all this
mean ? If thou art about to bring me into
4
-38
FATHER REEVES.
the furnace, help me to glorify thy most
holy nameand then he entered into
solemn covenant with the Lord "to give
body and soul afresh to him through Jesus
Christ."
He came home to dinner. The devoted
husband and wife kneeled in prayer together,
according to their daily habit. Mr. Reeves
had just uttered the words, " 0, blessed Lord,
prepare us for a lingering sickness, or for
sudden death; but prepare us for thyself!"
and had sgarcely more than risen from his
knees, when his wife fell into his arms in a
fit of apoplexy.
She partially recovered; testified for many
days her trust, confidence, and joy in the
Lord; and,.on November 11th* 1826, while
her husband was praying by her side, she
sweetly slept " in Jesus."
Next to his wife, Mr. Reeves's concern was
for his dear parents. These he entreated,
with filial reverence, to embrace the Saviour;
and his prayers for them were happily an¬
swered. He records that " on January 24,
1828, my dear and much-beloved, and the'
best of all parents, departed this life, aged
seventy-two years;" and he blessed God's
holy name " for the good hope he has that
his dear mother is now in glory."
One of his earliest books has " a few plain
and short remarks of dear mother's conver-
THE RELIGION OF RELATIVES SOUGHT. 39
eioH." She came to town in July, 1813, her
soul filled with grief on account of her sin,
and determined, if 'possible, " to know if she
were in the right road or not ;" and her son
seetas to have been honoured as the instru¬
ment in the Lord's hands in leading her to
accept " a present salvation," to the joy of
her .soul.
In 1823, Mr. Jleeves's aged father entered
into the enjoyment of God's forgiving love at
the age of eighty-two. Our departed friend
rejoices to enter in one of his books, "Thou
hast set my aged father's soul at liberty;
thou hast answered my prayers; he is now
joined to thy church below; also, a brother
and sister; so that, glory be to thy dear
name ! I have now an aged father, a dear
wife, two brothers, and a sister, that love thy
name. I pray that thou wouldst keep them
faithful unto death."
At the advanced age of. eighty-six, Mr.
Reeves's father died rejoicing in Christ; and
even when his voice failed, he cheered his
family by signs indicating his happiness and
hope.
Mr. Reeves was married a second timp, in
1827, to an exemplary and useful member of
the society at Lambeth ; and she survives to
cherish the memory of one who ever hallowed
his home by the admirable consistency' of his
Christian coarse.
40
FATHER REEVES.
Next to his family, our dear friend sought
to win all the members of his classes to the
cross of our Lord Jesus Clrrist. He had no
children; but he rejoiced in his members as
his family, and numbers of .them recognised
him as their father in the Lord.
PRAYER MEETINGS.
41
Chapter v,
FREE SERVICE FROM THE HEART IS ALL IN ALL TO HEAVEN
FELICIA HEMANS.
GO VISIT THOTJ, IN THEIR DISTRESS,
THE WIDOW AND THE FATHERLESS.
J. MONTGOMERY.
PRAYER MEETINGS AND STRANGERS' FRIEND
SOCIETY.
ISTo sooner did Mr. ReeV'es find true re¬
ligion, thhn, as" he himself has recorded, he
began to try to do good to others ; and greatly
did he rejoice when the society with which
he had connected himself found him employ¬
ment as a prayer-leader.
The Sunday evening prayer meetings were
arranged by plan in April, 1809. "One of
the first places used," says brother Reeves;
"was the Sunday-school in High street, Lam¬
beth ; another, the house of Mr. Nash, sen.,
Fore street; another, brother Cook's, Lam¬
beth Walk; and another, brother Slatter's,
Walnut-Tree Walk; when there were only
two or three houses built, and walnut-trees
were growing 1"
4*
42
FATHER REEVES.
For many a long year these walnut-trees
have only existed in the memory of very old
inhabitants; but the breath of prayer and
praise which stirred their leaves reached
heaven, and blessings in answer have come
down on the family that opened their house
and the society that sent out the praying
men.
^'But," adds brother ReeVes, ('let it never
be forgotten that Walworth, Southville, Vaux-
hall, and Broadwall* chapels, all date their
origin from, the Sunday evening prayer meet¬
ings in little rooms. To this I am a witness,
having had the honour to be present at the
opening of each place."
Why are these house-prayer meetings so
little regarded now ? and why are the sec-
vices in our chapels so protracted as to render
it inconvenient at so late an hour to go to an
appointment ? Surely the present popula¬
tion of our large towns are not much more
easily brought to the house of^Gfod than our
fathers were. If there is not the same op¬
position to religion that there was fifty years
ago, there"is something quite as formidable to
its progress ; namely, the spirit of indifference.
If our neighbours will not he attracted wThen
we build a chapel, w<3 must remember our du-
* The society have now removed to Waterloo Road
Chapel.
PRAYER 'MEETINGS.
43
ty, and, from house to house, convey an in¬
vitation to the public worship of God; and,
if our chapel prayer meetings fail to bring
the dwellers in tjie back streets to their knees,
we must go among them—get some one in
the fear of the Lord to open his house, and
carry the prayer meeting to them.
Father Reeves delighted in this service.
He was the treasurer to the prayer-leader's
meeting, and as such presided among them.
One of his associates'says : "His advice to
the prayer-leaders was affectionate, faithful,
and practical, especially to newly-appointed
members. He used earnestly to exhort them
to cultivate their minds by a diligent study
of the word of God in the spirit of devotion,
in order that the language used in prayer
should be in accordance with 'Divine truth.
On no account would he sanction the use of
any hymns that were not found in our own
collection."
This conduct of brother Reeves did not
arise fropi bigotry; though he knew nothing
better than the Methodism which he loved,
and nothing richer than the experience of the
Wesleyan hymns, his endeavours were mainly
to repress certain extravagances, both in tune
and words, in which many zealous people am
too apt to indulge.
In one of his papers brother Reeves writes :
"0, how I wish all my dear brethren, the
44
FATHER REEVES.
Sunday evening grayer-leaders, would learn
to sing!" Col. iii. 16.
He read his Bible with scrupulous attention,
and seemed to prefer comparison of one
scripture with another to the search of com¬
mentaries. He did not, at all events, adopt
any of the ordinary explanations of Matthew
xxvi. 30 ; for he says :
" 0, what a pity it is that the precious
hymn was ever lost which our blessed Lord
Jesus Christ sang with his disciples at his
lRst supper ! 0, how I should have rejoiced
to have heard it! I think I should have learned
the tune. I think this hymn of Mr. Wesley's
suits me now in its stead : hymn 28, page 32."
Till advancing years and failing health
qbliged him to desist, Father Reeves was the
regular attendant of the Sunday morning
prayer meeting, at 7 o'clock. Thus he began
the service of the Sabbath rejoicingly; bmd
up to the time of his death he was the in¬
variable attendant on the Saturday evening
prayer meeting; and then this good mati,
without one single educational advantage,
would often on his knees pour forth such a
rich strain of holy praise, such a full tide of
earnest, believing prayer, that at times, both
for sublimity of thought and beauty of dic¬
tion, he equalled the unsurpassable liturgy of
the English church.
There were, of course, frequent occasions
PRAYER MEETINGS. 45
when brother Beeves seemed more left io
himself,, and his ide^s struggled to find suit¬
able language in which to clothe themselves,
J)ut even then grammatical and other mistakes
wOpe lost or disregarded because of the at
mosphere of devotion which ever surrounded
this favoured suppliant of the throne of grace.
Tfre reason of his, power in prayer, apart
from the spirit of faith and devotion, -arose
from his intimate knowledge of Holy Scrip¬
ture, and his thorough acquaintance with Wes¬
ley's Hymns,
In losing this exemplary man, numbers
at Xambeth have lost an invaluable friend.
Of " silver and gold" he had indeed little
to give; /but such as he had was more valu¬
able to many than the riches of $ goldrminq.
|Tis prayers bore the case of many an afflict¬
ed, many a tempted friend, to the footstool
of mercy; and numbers of Us have doubtless
hpd happier moments, and have been more
useful in our efforts at Lambeth, than we
should have been, but for his powerful plead¬
ings on our behalf. " Help, Lord ! for the
godly man cpaseth, and the faithful fail frotfk
the children o.f men !" It .is not a slight loss
to |ose a praying friend.
But brother Reeves was not .only, "instant
in prayer," but indefatigable in work, and ivt
visiting the sick he took an especial pleasure.
He sympathized with sufferipg; but his desire
46
FATHER REEVES.
was to turn this to "profitable account. He
remembered the order in which the Psalmist
placed human maladies, spiritual first, bedily
afterward—" Who forgiveth all thine iniqui¬
ties, who healeth all thy diseases"—and while
he pitied physical suffering, he pitied th,e un¬
saved but immortal spirit more.
The Strangers' Friend Society, which he
early joined, and which he only left, it is be¬
lieved, because of the amount of work which
large classes imposed on their leader, afforded
him an opportunity for usefulness he gladly
'embraced. He returned to his employment
when he was relieved of two of his classes,
and continued a visitor to the day "of his
death. In one of his books there is a ljst,
entitled, " Several cases that have been made
happy in God through the Strangers' Friend
Society;" then follow names, addresses, and
the places of worship to which the parties
attached themselves when they became well.
Systematic in the arrangement ofhistiine,
he devoted Monday in each'week to the visi¬
tation of his cases from theStrangefs' Friend
■Society. The Monday previous to his. de¬
cease was a day of incessant rain and wind,
such as would have deterred maily a young
and hardy man from going out; but out Fa¬
ther Peeves went, visiting the sick; and
when, having taken cold in consequence, he
was remonstrated with by a younger man,
PRAYER MEETINGS.
47
he merely remarked "it tvas his day for
sick visiting, and if he did 'not go then,
it would disarrange his plans for the next
day."
On the last day of his life he pursued this
loved employment, and realized his own de¬
sire—he "ceased at once to work and live."
43
father reeves,
1 -""
CHAPTER VI.
AND FIRST HE TAUGHT THEM TO RJ5SPECT THEMSELVES,
AND THEN WITH GOODNESS LIJRED THEM ON TO VIRTUE ;
,IIE HATED SIN, BUT THE POOR OUTCAST SINNER
WAS STILL HIS HUMAN BROTHER. THIS WAS GOODNESS,
AND THIS WAS GREATNESS TOO. MARY HOWITT.
as a class-leader seeking members.
Unconsciously ta hifiaself, brother Reeves
was led, directly afte^ bis conversion, to a
eourse of preparation for the office in wbicb
be was best known and pre-eminently useful
—that of a Methodist class-lfea'der.
The prayer meeting gave scope for bis
spirit of intercession, the Strangers' friend
Society to bis sympathy with the spiritual
and temporal necessities of the afflicted; and,
in order that he might talk effectively about
salvation to persons either sick or well, he
committed multitudes of select passages of
Holy Scripture to memory. A little book,
apparently begun in the very month of his
conversion, is nearly filled with .texts, and
AS "A GLASS-LEADEfe.
49
references to texts of Scripture, with'this, re¬
mark inserted at a later period: " This was
the first book I hegan to write after the ever-
blessed Lord convinced me of sin ; and most
of these texts of Scripture I got by heart, to
talk to poor sinners about. 0, what a bless¬
ing it has been to me through life !"
On December 3, 1818$ ten years after he
became a member, he undertook, by appoint¬
ment of the leaders' meeting, the charge of
a class. It was not without fear on the part
of some that he was placed in the position of
a teacher and a guide, and the vote of the
meeting in his favour was scarcely unanimous;
his moral excellences were undoubted, but has
educational deficiencies were at that time
many.
But none trembled for his success more
than he did himself. He had no self-confi¬
dence. His troubles led him always to his
knees and the Holy Bible, and he obtained
such qualifications from the Source of all
good, that few of those he gathered into so¬
ciety "were able to resist the wisdom and the
spirit with which he spoke."
There were no class-books in 1818; his
members' names were entered on a class-
paper ; they numbered fourteen. From 1820
the -whole of his class-books ate preserved,
and evidence an amount of attention to the
duties of leadership such as few have ever
5
50
FATHER REEVES.
equalled, and, it is confidently, believed these
pages will show, none have surpassed.
He was very soon the leader of two classes
—one on Sunday afternoon, the other on the
week-day; and as early as 1822 his numbers
had grown so large that the first class was
divided.
This class remained, ever after, a very
large one. Though repeatedly divided, yet
it constantly grew. It was admirably trained;
and in late years, out of eighty members on
the books at one time, more than seventy
have been known to present themselves for
their quarterly tickets; and the preacher has
had especial aptitude for his work, who could,
commencing with the leader at two o'clock,
speak appropriately, from him to the last
merqber, and conclude at half-past four.
In 1830, in addition to the Sunday and
Wednesday classes, he commenced one on
Friday evening.
In 1833 he gave up, for a short time, his
Wednesday class; but not finding work
enough, and knowing poor sinners willing to
accept an invitation, he commenced another
on Sunday evenings, in July, 1834. Three
months after, he had his Wednesday class
again, and met the whole four for four years.
In 1838, however, he found the toil of
four classes too much, and he relinquished
AS A CLASS-sLEADER.
51
the last formed to another leader. He con¬
tinued to lead three classes till 1847.
How tie" loved those to- whom he had min¬
istered in spiritual things, and with what pain
he parted from them, may be gathered from
the following extract t
October 22, 1826.-—I divided my Sunday
class; it was a tearing asunder, indeed, and
that to every one. I can not forget* my feel¬
ings^ when I saw their love one to another,
and their grief at the thought of parting.
They could not have overcome the trial if
they had not seen the necessity for separa¬
tion ; for we were now fifty in number. 0,
•that God, whose they are, may increase
them a thousand times in love and faith, and
numbers ! is the prayer of their unworthy
gervant. 0, that not one of them may be
on tjie left hand when Jesus shall come to
gather his saints into his glorious kingdom,
nor ri^p up in judgment against me for my
unfaithfulness!"
He then adds a list of the names of those
"the Lord parted; I say the Lord, because
they all volunteer." To the names he adds
a description of their spiritual state, and thp
time calculated, in years and months, that
each had met with him.
Again, in 1847, he writes: " I have of
late had much painful affliction, sp that my
body is become very feeble. I now find I
52
FATHER REEVES,
am no longer able to -do justice to all m}
classes—to meet them and visit them all as I
have done, having now one -hundred and
sixty members. Now comes the trial—to
give up one -class. This hag been a hard
struggle, to part from those for whom I have
wrestled an'd prayed till Christ was fonhed
ip their hearts the hope of glory; and then
fte. have rejoiced together so many yqars.
And now which of the three classes must I
give tip ? My Sunday class is the first to
which, I believe, the Lord appointed me;
therefore I could, not think of giving that up.
The next is the Wednesday class; but that
was my first-born taken from my Sunday
class; then how can I do this ? My nature
ghrinkst and cries, MIow shall I give thee
hp V The only one -that is left is the .Friday
class, the son of my old age, and, therefore,
X cannot, no, I gannei give up that. And
now I had to go again to my lieavenly^Father
in secret, and wrestle for an increase of faith
and wisdom to know His, blessed will, and
then it should be mine."
To gain sufficient strength between the
labours of Sunday and Friday, the Wednes¬
day class was now finally relinquished, with
this quotation:
" Since 'tis thy sentence I should part
With what was nearest to my heart,
AS A CLASS-LEADER.
53
I freely that and more resign;.
Behold, my heart itself is thine !
My little all I give to thee,
Thou hast bestowed thy Son on me."
The Sunday afternoon and the Friday
evening classes were regularly met by Father
Reeves till his decease.
For several years a list was regularly kept
under the following head: "A memorandum
to know what becomes of my members."
These papers give the names, dates of
entrance, indicate whether the persons were
new members or backsliders, whether from
other classes or from other circuits, when re¬
ceived, the religious state when removed, the
reason for their removal, and the date. A
specitnen or two is subjoined:
1819. State.
March. J. S. Fnom another class. 0 Removed to another
class nearer home,
December, 1822.
June. T. M. Do. 0 Removed when class
was divided, Octo¬
ber, 1822.
Sept. J. W. Fron> another circ't. 0 Died very happy in
the Lord, May 11,
1823.
Dec. R. S. A new member. a Drawn back, over¬
come by the world,
1820. July, 1821.
June. E. B. Backslider restored. Removed to a week¬
day class.
" H. S. A new member. Left us and went to.
the tent preachers,
January, 1822.
5*
54
.FATHER REEVES.
" A. H. Po. q■ Expelled for break
ing the Sabbatb,
August, 1844.
In a similar list, a few years later, is the
following:
1824.
June. Samuel D. Yfaddy. From another class. 0. After
meeting with me sixteen months, left to become a
travelling preacher, November, 1825.
The following papers will show brother
Reeves's care for his flock, and the honour his
Lord and Master put upon him:
"December, 1882.—The number of those
who have been convinced of sin, those who
have beert converted, the backsliders restored,
and the happy deaths, in my three classes
this last year:
Convinced of sin 60
Found peace >. .. + 40
Backsliders recovered 6
Happy deaths 2
And many now enjoy perfect love. Among
the happy number of those who have found
peace are these three strangers: Hessundne
Ilbfesume,* from Egypt; his name signifieth,
'Comely and mighty.' The next is a black,
from the borders of China, John Robson.
* This young man, sent fpr scientific education to
this country by Mehemet Ali, was subsequently bap,
tized at Portsmouth, in the name of John Wesley Clarke,
AS A CL^SS LEADER.
55
Apd the third stranger is a woman from Til-
ston. Another stranger from Egypt is«only
convinced of his sin; his name is Goudin
Shaffee, yrhich gignifieth 'Intercessor.'"
Brother Reeves records it as a privilege
that he had, always occupied the same sitting
in the chapel. Here, during service, none was
more devout than he ; hut, at .the close of the
Sermon, who, among his fellow-worshippers,
does not remember "how quickly the spectacles
were mounted, how soon the good little old
man was up, and how, during the announce¬
ment and the singing of the last hymn—while
he shared his hymn-book with his dear wife
s—his active eyes would scan the neighbouring
pews, but, especially the free seats, to see
whose moistened eye gave evidence that, the
heart was touched ? Many times and oft, the
service over, was the good man found planted
just in the right place, beside some poor,
broken-hearted sinner, begging him to come
to class.
Pertiaps no Sundaj" ever passed, scarcely
a,public prayer meeting went by, that brother
Reeves did not urge one, frequently many,
to„ embrace the Saviour's proffered mercy,
and join in Christian communion with those
who were the professed disciples of the
cross.
And this he did like every thing else, sys¬
tematically. A copy of the Rules of the
56
father reeves.
Society is thus supplemented evidently for
distribution.
" The time and places where my classes
meet:
'.'1. Sunday afternoon, at half-past two o'clock.* Free
seats, Lambeth Chapel.
" 2. Sunday evening, after preaching, in the same place.
"3. Wednesday evening, at seven o'clock., in the lower
vestry.
" 4. Friday evening, at the same time and place.
"Wm. Reeves."
At another period of his life our friend
had a card printed, to advertise his classes
just as another man would his trade : it was
brother Reeves's business to get men out of
the world and lead them to heaven. It made
the announcement thus :
WILLIAM REEVES,
No. 25 UNION STREET, LAMBETH WALK,
leader to two classes which meet at the time and
place as under, etc., etc.
And on the back of this card was written^
" Come thou with us, and we will do thee
good ; for the Lord hath spoken good con¬
cerning Israel." Numb. x. 29.
* Altered to two when the class grew larger.
AS A CLASS LEADER.
57
In. 1850, the Rev- John Hall wrote' a paper
entitled, " An Invitation to Church Member¬
ship." Brother Reeves at once' secured a
number, and turned them to practical account,
by causing his classes and the time and place
of meeting to be notified in writing on the back,
^adding, " And we shall be happy to see you."
Sometimes persons in search of good wished
to remove from other classes to his. Over
such applications he watched with jealousy,
and one of his entries runs thus: "It may
appear as though I robbed other classes, but
five of these had strayed."
His talent for the acquisition of new mem¬
bers was considerable, and perseveringly em¬
ployed. He deemed it almost essential to
the life apd spiritual health of a class that
penitents should he constantly brought in.
Sometimes it was thought that he ought to
recommend fresh members to gtlter classes
th$,n his own. When this thought found ex¬
pression, he noted it, and in one of his paperg
js this -answer:
" I have long thought I have been a strange
and jbeeuliar being, and thereby fear I have
often grieved some of my dearest and best
beloved friends at Lambeth, but not de¬
signedly and willingly. I moan, because I
continue to invite and strive to get so many
persons to join my classes, and am not so
willing as they could wish to give them up to
58
FATHER REEVES.
others. This is not because I think myself
the best teacher, or a better leader than my
dear brethren ; no, for I have often thought
that this ought to be written on the front of
every one of my class-books, ' A preparatory
class-leader.' 1 Sam. ix. 21. But e-ver since
I have had the unspeakable honour of being a
Methodist class leader—though so unworthy
I have invariably proved that only while I
am adding to my heavenly graces, I am
kept alive and growing ; so I daily prove that
only while I am getting new members to my
classes we keep alive the old members. I mean
here that spiritual life which our blessed Sa¬
viour came to bestow.
"Now, new member's being the means to
bring or to keep this life, therefore not to strive
to get new members would be to depress this
life; and to send them away would be to give
up this life as far as it concerned our classest
" I feel the force of these words,-and I think
I may apply them to this' case without doing
violence to the blessed word of God : 4 He that
gathereth by labour shall increase,' ,Prov,- xiii.
11; Matt. xiii. 12; xxv. 29; Ps. exv. 14. Glory
\>e to God, I still find these are the means ! "
And dear Father Beeves inoculated his
members with the same spirit. An estimable
female friend, a member of the Sunday class,
thus writes :
"He was greatly beloved by his class,
AS A CLASS LEADER.
59
had most unbounded influenc'e over his
'dear children,' and was always successful in
seeuring their co-operation to help forward
the ark of the Lord.
" He had strong faith in the power and
willingness of Hod to save the world, and
therefore his mind was on the stretch for ac¬
cessions to the church of Christ. This feeling
would sometimes carry llim beyond what might
seem prudent to -many; for he would occa¬
sionally introduce those to the class in whom
there appeared little promise.
" They were not intended to be a dead
weight, or brought in merely to swell the num¬
bers. This he "could not have endured. But
he had most entire confidence in that Scrip¬
ture, ' If two of you shall agree on earth as
touching -any thing they shall ask, it shall
be done for tfiem of my Father which is in
heaven and if he could entice ' a dear friend!
into his 'beloved class,' he conceived he
should there have influence and strength for
the accomplishment of his wishes, and seldom
were his large expectations disappointed.
"He would ^stimulate and encourage us
with a zeal surprising, and, when some vic¬
tories were gained, would congratulate most
heartily the ' dear people' whom God had so
honoured, wondering much that so ' unfaithful
and unworthy an individual should be allowed
the privilege of sharing such Jiappinesa.'
60
FATHER REEVES.
"As he knew no cessation from constafrnt,
arduous labour, so die longed for us to paftake
of the same spirit, and plenty of work he al¬
ways found us in the exercise of faith and
love. There were 'penitents he wanted his
dear friends to help into liberty/ ' the back¬
sliders whom he was sure all mourned over,'
or ' some dear brother or sister afflicted 01
peculiarly tried needing our especial inter¬
cession and he would pour out fervent sup¬
plication for the Holy Spirit's anointing, that
we might be united together in love. Nor
Would he work on our sympathy alone, but
would excite our emulation: ' While he was
looking out for new members, could not each
try and get one during the quarter
Another friend writes : " I think it must
have been about the year 1834 that my ac¬
quaintance with the deceased grew to an in¬
timacy. My presence at week-night preach¬
ing, and the Saturday evening prayer meeting,
attracted his attention. He would intercept my
departure from the chapel or vestry; the aisle,
pew, form, or door-way were the points of con¬
tact. The expediency of meeting in class had
not presented itself forcibly to my mind, and a
repugnance to such a step was for a period de¬
cisive. His grand object, my personal sal¬
vation, appeared to him more certain if
"external communion were secured. With
patienti love, unwearied diligence, apd great
AS A CLASS LEADER.
61
forbearance, in season and—I often then
thought—^out of season, did be invite, reason
with, and exhort me to that decisive point.
"'It was, in his mind, a demonstrated fact,
that the turning point of moral and religious
history would be> found just at that juncture
where resolve was taken for visible church
union or the converse. It was this that caused
him to esteem the class meeting of the highest
value; here, te would observe, an individual
draws the line of demarcation between the
world and his adopted choice. He makes a
new election of friends, pursuits, and in¬
terests. In Christ's church he will find every
solid pleasure and permanent happiness.' "
Thus did Father Reeves labour to get men
to join the church of Christ, and so truly did
he enjoy the meetings of his flock, that never
would he accept an invitation to any, even
the most agreeable and profitable company,
at the' class hour. Never was he absent ex¬
cept when in the country, or confined by sick¬
ness at home, and these occasions were ex¬
tremely rare*
6
02
FATHER, flEEVES.
CHAPTER VH.
THEN THEY THAT FEARED THE LORD SPAKE OFTEN ONE
TO ANOTHER. MALACHI iii. 16.
THE LIP&DF THE RIGHTEOUS PEED MANY. PROVERBS X. 21.
HOW HE LED A CLASS,
Father Reeves was never known ta be
late at any religions service,* never behind
time at his class.
"A leader," he held, "should, be We, first
«,nd the last in the class-room and, says one
who met with him, "memory can not recall,
through a period of several years, a solitary
deviation from this practice. At the close of
the meeting he took his position at the door¬
way," grasped each member's hand in turn,
while sententiously asking the Divine blessing
* Only one exception is remembered to this remark
—once he was late at a prayer meeting; he was detain¬
ed while visiting a sick case. Once he came;«s( at two
o'clock to his class ; he had stopped a few minutes on
the road talking to a poor backslider. This is the only
instance reported in which our departed friend was not
before time at his class.
HOW HE LED A CLASS.
63
upon them! Grouping or gathering in little
knots for supplementary conversation, was
to him nrost objectionable, and never allowed
by him to gather strength. lie thought the
practice possessed the germ of many evils."
Imagine, good reader; a little old man
about five feet four inches high, with a com¬
pact, well-knit frame, slightly bald, a tolerably
high but rather narrow forehead, prominent
cheekbones, small' but expressive features,
standing on one of the free seats of Lambeth
Chapel (on a Sunday afternoon. He has
mounted his spectacles; the hymn-book is
opened ; he has just referred to his Vatch;
the hand'indicates, the .hour of two; the large
majority of his members are present—they
have learned by example to be punctual and"
regular ; and now, with a sharp, clear voice,
he says, il Let us begin the 'solemn worship
of Almighty God." He pitches the tune, and
all are encouraged to try to sing. His hymns
are carefully selected beforehand; not 'a mc^
mentis lost—time is too precious to be wasted;
for sixty or seventy souls have that afternoon
to be warned or entreated, wept over or re¬
joiced with, according to their varied states-
of religious experience. His" prayer is brief,
but earnest; he knows his*members intimate¬
ly; it is, therefore, suitable. Still standing,
his own experience—very nearly in the terms
of Scripture, aided,' perhaps, jby a., line or
64
FATHER REEVES,
two from the hymn-book—is related. Then
pertinent questions, such as none can ask
twice by accident, and happily chosen, con¬
densed Scriptural admonitions or encourage¬
ments follow rapidly, but without haste.
\'It has often been matter of surprise,"
says the female friend before quotpd, " that
he could manage so large a class, and do
justice. It was immense labour, certainly,
but he knew his' work, and with tact and
skilf, he always acquitted himself well. His
soul held close and deep communion with
his God; therefore bustle and hurry he could
not endure. Serene, calm, and collected,
with, much fervour of spirit, and an abundance
of material carefully arranged in a well dis-
•ciplined mind, bo could as well meet sixty
members as six. Our meetings were always
orderly and quiet, never dull. In some of
our prayer meetings, wheh rich blessings have
been given, and many penitents s$t at liberty,
there was no confusion."
When his members were at their highest,
before one of the later divisions of the Sun¬
day class, conversation had arisen yi the Lam*
beth leaders' meeting respecting very large
classes. Father Reeves did not always de¬
fend his position on the instant as fully as he
might .have done; but on this occasion, as
on others, he went home, thought, and wTrote.
And here is the statement and defence :
HOW HE LED A 'CLASS.
65
" It has been said, at our leaders' meeting,
and very seasonably, too, wheH they consider
the number of members, eighty, in my Sun¬
day class, that it is impossible the end of
class meeting can be answered. Now, what
•is the end of class meeting?
"1. That-the members maybe instructed
to know their lost state- by sin.
" 2. That they ma/ be led into a state of
justification, by faith in the blood of Jestis,
and feel the spirit of adoption enabling them
to cry, 'Abba, Father,' without a doubt.
" 3. That they may be led on to perfect"
love, to holiness of heart and life till they are
made meet for glory.
" Now, let me say to my beloved friends,
and I do, indeed, say it ' as a fool,' let them
take out ©f that class twenty members, whom*
they will, and compare them with any other
twenty members from another class in Lam¬
beth, and see if they do not come up to the
above standard as fully as those who have
been fed Ajth 'the finest wheat, although: we
have l\een, like Daniel and his three brethren,
fed upon pulse."
* This was no empty boasting, nor does it
evidence to tho^e who knew .the man any feel¬
ing contrary to humility; but he loved his
members, and was jealous of their honour.
He felt deeply the responsibility of his posi¬
tion, and was not'satisfied till each member
6*
66
FATHER REEVES.
could, for himself prove from Scripture every
doctrine he professed, and,quote from Scrip¬
ture the warrant for each promise on the ful¬
filment of whichthe relied.
The brother who has had charge of this
class since Father Reeves's decease, fully*
bears out the statement, that the members
generally are well grounded in Scriptural
proof of all our doctrines, and can give, in the
terms of Scripture, a reason for the hope
that is in them. No wonder ; for their leader,
fearful of conventional phrases—fearful of
the common-places of Methodism being put
instead of heart-felt experience—adopted,
some years ago, the plan—several times re¬
newed—of setting apart a Sunday, on which
every member should search for and read a
textf descriptive " of his or her own state or
present experience."
A paper^ dated July, 1845, is evidently an
address delivered to his classes, at that time,
on this subject"; it expresses so well his reason
for the practice alluded to that it -is inserted
nearly at length:
" For my classes, when each member is to
read a text from the blessed word of God,
which will truly and clearly express his or her
own experience; and for this reason, because
the hope of eternal life is not to be taken upon
slight grounds, it is'a question to be settled
"HOW he Led a class.
67
between God and your own soul. I would
not despise the adyice nor reject entirely the
opinion of others ; but I would be careful
not t© trust too much to such advice and
opinion, since you are to stand or fall by the
w»ord of God. It is to that, and that alone,
you must refer for testimony. The advice and
opinion of ministers and private Christians
you will seek and respect, but you must not
regard them as infallible, nor place your re¬
liance on them. There is, in most persons,
a strong tendency to lean upon the judgment
of others rather than to take the pains of
severe and strict investigation for themselves.
You cannot be ignorant that such a course
must be unsatisfactory and unsafe. How
much better to go at once to the Bible ! If
we thaw find our character to be that of the
saints who have gone before us, What joy and
assurance shall we have when we know we
are standing on a rock stable as eternity!
Therefore,_ I hope you will feel more deeply
the importance of settling the question over
your Bible, between God and your own souls.
" My very dear children, whom I dearly
love in the Lord Jesus, permit me to say, ' I
am jealous over you with a godly jealousy,'
and ' I have no greater joy than to hear that my
children walk in the truth.' Our ever-blessed
Saviour ever lives and prays for us, ' Sanctify
them through thy truth, thy word is truth.'
68 father reeyes.
" The concern of maily people is nothing
more than an ignorant anxiety, to be reli¬
gious ; they have scarcely one definite idea of
what religion is. It is not mere excited feel¬
ing, as they suppose, but a clear and perfect
knowledge of Divine truth.
" Our heavenly Father has encourage'd us
to bring with us words, and come before the
Lord ; therefore I shall take this blessed part
of his most holy word, which will fully and
clearly express my past and present ex¬
perience, and, if faithful unto death, my
everlasting salvation. Isa. lxi. 10. When
I speak in my class itiy own experience, I
have not found it enough to satisfy my soul,
by saying, as many of our members do, 'us,'
'we,' 'they,' 'you;' it is not 'we,' 'you,'
' they,' and ' us,' but it is ' I,' ' my,' and ' me.'
" Wm. Reeves-."
Sometimes, instead of having an ordinary
class meeting, he would hold a Bible class,
giving his members a month to prepare for
the subject.
His anxiety 'that his members should
"search the Scriptures" is evidenced, not
only by the above, but by numerous papers,
evidently carefully prepared addresses to his
classes on the subject; but as Father Reeves
Vas ever at work among the poor, die fre¬
quently brought into society men of middle
age, and old men, who knew not how to read.
HOW HE! LED A CLASS.
69
What was to oe done with them? Might not
they be left to bear the word of God from
others, instead of enduring the toil of learning
to read it for themselves ? By no means.
"We teach them," says *this admirable
leader, " by their children that were taught in
the Sunday-school, and we set apart a Sunday
for thcpa to read poytion of Holy Scripture
to us, to hear how they improve, and t®
stimulate others to learn."
And thus many a new convert, but an old
man, has evidfenced the genuineness of the
religious change wrought in him^ by toiling
through verse after verse, chapter after chap¬
ter, till he has been able to read before his
class-mates the story of the cross.
Ariel then he thrned unto the Book,
And read in English plain,
How Christ had died on Calvary,
How he had risen again.
And all his comfortable words,
His deeds of mercy all,
He read, and of the widow's son-,
And the poor prodigal. Mary Howitt.
The subjoined rather lengthened but inr-
wrtant extract will .show how he managed to
turn such an occasion into a means of in¬
struction.
" Hymn 87, page 88, to commence, the
meeting.
70
FATHER REEVES.
"We set apart this day,'instead of meet¬
ing 'the class in the ordinary manner, to read
the sacred Scriptures; and especially that
those may read who did not know a letter
when they began to meet in class; 'but now,
glory be to'God! they can read any chapter
in the New Testament well. We do this
especially for the encouragement of those
who are now meeting with us who cannot
read, that they may see the benefit and joy
there is jn reading the word of God for our¬
selves, and may be provoked to learn.
"I, William Reeves, am the oldest mem¬
ber of the class, and I could not read a chap¬
ter i-n thcword of God when I was converted;
but now, blessed forever be the Lord ! I can
say, ' Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and
a light unto my path.'
"I shall begin by reminding myself and
you, for our unspeakable comfort here and
happiness hereafter, of the authenticity of
the word of the ever-blessed God, and the
love of Jesus, and this from its own truth."
Here brother Reeves refers extensively to
the fulfilment of the prophecies of Scripture
relatipg to our Saviour—prophecies delivered
several hundreds of years before Jesus was
born. Then he adds:
" I shall now read the fifty-third chapter
of Isaiah."
Then this verse was sung:
BOW HE LED A CLASS.
71
" See, from his head', his hands, his feel,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down?
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich q, crown?"
Then brother P—was directed to read
the third chapter of the Second Epistle of
St. Peter, after which the class sung this
veTse:
" Should all the forms that men devise,
Assault my faith with treacherous art,
I'd call them vanity and liea,.
And hind tfle gospel to my heart."
"Now," says our friend, "as God, in so
much lov^ to us, has given us his dear and
well-beloved Son that we may be saved, our
duty is to repent and believe the. Gospel.
This is needful for all. So we find it in the
word of ?God^ what is,necessary for one- is
necessary for the whole world. Dan. ix;
Jonah iii.; Ps. li.; Acts ii. 37, 38; xvi. 30,
3J."
Then sister K—was appointed to read
the fifty-first Psalm hut first this terse was
sung:
" When quiet in my house I sit,
Thy book be my companion still;
My joy thy sayings to repeat,
Talk o'er the records of thy will,
And search the oracles divine,
Till every heart-felt word be mine."
The one hundred and third Psalm was
then read.
72
FATHER REEVES.
"And now," continues the leader, "we will
remind ourselves again that it is hj faith
alone in the precious bleod of atonement that
the poor, broken-hearted, repentant, sorrow¬
ing sinner can he justified. Rom. v. JL; Rom.
iii. 21, to the end; Gal. iii.; Tit. iii. 5, 6;
Matt. ix. 20 tt 22: Mark v. 28 to 36. Let
these suffice."
Then a verse Tyas sung:
" The thing surpasses all my thought,
But faithful is my Lord;
Through unbelief I stagger not,
For God hath spoke the word
And brother H was ealled Upon to
read the second chapter of the Epistle to the
Ephesians.
After this the leader again exhorted:
"We would not forget to remind ourselves
of our unspeakable privilege; for it is the
will of God, our heavenly Father, th'at .we
should be sanctified wholly, ' spirit, soul, and
body,' and so be 'preserved blameless unto
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.' 1 Thess.
v. 23, 24.
" But all the work of genuine religion, from
first to last, is carried on in the soul by the
Holy Spirit; this, so to speak, is his depart¬
ment in the economy of our redemption. The
Father is represented as originating the
scheme, the Son executing it, and the Spirit
as applying it. 0, then, my dear and be-
HOW HE LED A CLASS. 72
loved friends, you must see how very neces¬
sary it is, in all Divine things, to have right
knowledge of God's holy word! How can
you get on in the way to heaven without
studying the Bible ? The reason why so
many turn back, and others get on so slowly
is, because they do not study to make them¬
selves acquainted with Divine truth. 0,
hear the ever-blessed Saviour's own words:
'Sanctify them through thy truth. Thy
word is truth.' John xvii. 17; Ezek. xxxvi.
25-29; Eph. i. 13, 14; iii. 15, to the end;
Eph. v. 26, 27; 1 John iv. 17, 18; 1 Pet.
i. 21-23."
The members were then called upon to
sing :
" Satan, with all his arts, no more
Me from the gospel hope shall move;
I shall receive the gracious power,
And find the pearl of perfect love."
One more exhortation did the leader give:
" Not to forget our glorious rest with Jesus
in his everlasting kingdom;" and a number
of references to the sacked volume are made,
to excite the faith of his Glass. Finally,
brother K was called upon to read the
fourteenth chapter of St. John, and brother
W to read the seventh chapter of the
Book of Revelation. Another verse was
sung:
7
74
FATHER REE.VES.
" Out of great distress tliey came ;
Wash'd their robes by faith below
In the blood of yonder Lamb—
Blood that washes white as snow."
One more hymn, the 728th, page 656,
was sung; the whole service was sanctified
by the word of God and prayer, and this
unique class-meeting separated.
Rather novel this, some may he disposed
to exclaim. Yes; but let them that say so
think again, and they will acknowledge it
undeniably good. This excellent leader would
not have his members satisfied till they could
prove, from Scripture,, the soundness of their
faith, and till, to the joy of their souls, they
could read for themselves, in their own tongue,
the wonderful works of God. Six members,
including the leader, out of- one class, who
could not read when they entered the society,
reading on this memorable afternoon whole
chapters of the word of God! May such
leaders and members be multiplied!
In the extracts made from the papers of
our lamented friend, it is believed that the
reader will find, but few thoughts that could
be more appropriately expressed. If, how¬
ever, any one should think otherwise, let the
subject of this sketch offer his own apology:
" I have lived long enough to know that
words are but sounds at the best; but I have
also learned that there is a vast difference in
how he led a class.
75
the force that different words carry with
them; as much difference as there is between
the sound of a sheep-bell and the great bell
of St. Paul's ; and I have often been obliged
to weaken the force of all my poor scrawls,
because I could not spell many words that I
thought would have conveyed the power;
therefore I was obliged to take words that"!
could spell, although with much less power to
convey my meaning.
" Wm. Reeves, 1851."
76
FATHER REEVES.
CHAPTER VIII.
LET US JOIN 'TIS GOD COMMANDS
LET US JOIN OUR HEARTS AND HANDS :
HELP TO GAIN OUR CALLING'S HOPE ;
BUILD WE EACH THE OTHER UP ;
GOD HIS BLESSINGS SHALL DISPENSE ;
GOD SHALL CROWN HIS ORDINANCE :
MEET IN HIS APPOINTED WATS ;
NOURISH US WITH SOCIAL GRACE.
LET US THEN AS BRETHREN LOVE,
EAITHFULLY HIS GIFTS IMPROVE,
CARRY ON THE EARNEST STRIFE,
WALK IN HOLINESS OF LIFE. C, WESLEY.
LEADERSHIP CONTINUED.
"Be sure you tell all your relatives and
friends at what time your class meets," was
one of Father Reeves's earliest instructions
to new members; and, that no one might
plead ignorance as an excuse for not conform¬
ing to the rules, he not only gave each a
copy, but devoted part of one meeting each
quarter to read, explain, and enforce them.
On such occasions he had a brief suitable
LEADERSHIP CONTINUED.
77
address to deliver. At one time a warning
against conformity to the world ; at another,
an exhortation to the study of the Scriptures;
at another, admonitions against lukewarm-
ness, &c. In one of the latter he exposes
most forcibly the folly of the excuses which
many urge for not attending their class with
regularity, finishing with men of business:
" Now, concerning the business over which
you 'have no control.' To boa- Christian,
and yet to have no control over business, I
do not understand. I have been more than
m-five years a class-leader, and yet,
I have business, I. never missed once
through business, and never should while I
have two such swift helpmates as 'forethought'
and iredeeming' the time."
He recurs to this matter in another address
with great earnestness: "Be sure, my dear
children, let all your families and all your
friends know what day and at what time you
meet in your class, that they may not make
any engagement with you at that time. Tell
them all, that hour is the Lord's. Neh. vi.
2, 8, 4.
" Now, my beloved children, be sure you
be as firm against your enemies in building
your own house—Heb. iii. 6—as Nehemiah
was in building the house of the Lord. Yield
not to your enemies or a pretended friencf;
foifwhat work is so. great a work as your own
7*
78
FATHER REEVES.
salvation ? Heb. ii. 3 ; Phil. ii. 12 ; and be
sure and take good heed to the words of our
blessed Redeemer. Matt. x. 36—39."
These exhortations and other addresses on
doctrinal subjects did not generally interfere
with the ordinary class meeting, but formed
an introduction to the usual monthly prayer
meetings. Father Reeves says in one of
them: " Such exhortations would not be
needful when there are only from ten to'
twenty members in a class, when the leader
has time every week to press these things on
every one; but where there are- sixty to
eighty members, the leader can only have
time to get at their present and personal ex¬
perience, and to urge a present salvation.
He has no time to enlarge, in my humble
judgment."
All would agree that, with so considerable
a number,, there was "no time to enlarge" at
the ordinary weekly meetings; but brother
Reeves's classes found the benefit of his care¬
ful preparation for them, in his ability to
condense his observations, to convey in the
fewest possible words the greatest amount of
instruction. " He was never in haste,"
"always orderly," "never dull," is the un¬
impeachable testimony of intelligent mem¬
bers ; and yet, though so brief, he was emi¬
nently successful. Some leaders would take
longer to meet twenty members than this
LEADERSHIP CONTINUED. 79
leader did sixty or seventy; but if they pre¬
pared for their work more carefully, they
could aflFord to be less copiofis, and would be
more effective. And though all leaders may
not deem it wise to imitate brother Reeves's
example, and read a brief, pointed, practical
ten to fifteen minutes address every monthly
prayer meeting, yet preparation for these
assemblies would frequently make them more
profitable. Hymns might be selected thought¬
fully beforehand; a portion of Scripture
might be well studied and read to the assem¬
bled members with, perhaps, a practical re¬
mark or two; and if chosen in reference to
some blessing needed, or some duty not over-
zealously performed, if it contained encou¬
ragement to prayer or stimulants to faith,
how would it aid to promote humility before
God, or to kindle the devotion of the class,
while on their knees {key remembered the
word of the Lord!
Had brother Reeves a number of penitents
in his class ? The next prayer meeting Would
be specially for them, penitential hymns
selected, and an address of encouragement
with Scripture references would be delivered.
Were penitents set at liberty? Well-chosen
verses of praise to God, previously marked,
were heartily sung. Had the class received,
as into a hospital, some poor backsliders?
The following prayer meeting was for them j
80
FATHER REEVES.
for them the hymns, for them the exhortation,
for them the Scripture fact and Scripture
promise, and for them the earnest, importu¬
nate, prevailing prayer. Over backsliders
Father Reeves truly mourned; over their
penitent return he as heartily rejoiced. In
one paper, containing an account of his
classes, 'he marks, "One backslider;" but
the term is afterward blotted out, and this
line written, " The prodigal returned." Were
believers evidencing an earnest longing for a
deeper baptism of the Holy Spirit? A
prayer meeting and an address were dedicated
to those who were seeking "perfect love;"
and when any attained it the hymn of adoring
gratitude was already at hand.
Nothing was done without thought. When
he read the Rules he had-certain suitable
hymns invariably selected; nothing was tri¬
vial with 'him that he deemed it his duty to
perform.
His addresses were not always in relation
to experience, but sometimes to practice.
One is headed, " A wrord to those who do not
like to be dealt faithfully with;" another,
" On members neglecting to take their quar¬
terly tickets." Others are adapted to their
season : " Questions to be proposed at the
end of the year;" "For the outpouring of
the Spirit on the ministers and Society gene¬
rally at Lambeth;" and on " Family worship."
LEADERSHIP CONTINUED.
81
" He laboured most diligently," says one
of his members, "to instruct us in doctrine,
in church discipline, and every matter neces¬
sary to make us intelligent Christians; his
mind was always devising means for our
improvement.
" He loved the members of his class to
attend regularly, and so winning were his
invitations for their presence when the time
for the renewal of tickets approached, that it
was difficult to be absent. ' The dear minis¬
ters,' he would say, 'feel encouraged by a
full attendance; do come, and cheer them by
your presence.' He was so perfectly unself¬
ish he could never understand how a brother
would keep his wife from the house of God
to prepare his Sunday dinner; 'he so loved
that Ms dear wife, should enjoy with him the
feast of love in God's house, that he could
well afford to do with a 'cold dinner.'
"He knew well, and could expose most
cleverly the stratagems of Satan and the de-
ceitfulness of human nature. We do not re¬
member that he ever came ,to class despond¬
ing. Seasons of severe trial he has had, in
common with others, and sometimes expres¬
sions of the weight and care of the responsi¬
bility of his charge would escape him; but
the more general tone was that of great
delight in the service of God."
Another member writes: " He loved Wes-
82
FATHER REEVES.
leyan Methodism—indifferentism was dreaded
as akin to infidelity; but it was the sterling
catholicity of Christian faith, the invariable
.rectitude of life, and the simplicity of . aim
that admitted of no misrepresentation that
gave distinctness to his character.
" The Bible pre-eminently, Baxter's Saints'
Rest, and Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, fur¬
nished his mind with abundant material for
acceptably discharging the duties of a class-
leader, or visitor of the sick and poor. He
never ventured to dogmatize without an
appeal to Scripture. Telling and rich quo¬
tations from ' Moses and the prophets' would
often awaken a thrilling interest usually per¬
taining to the subject forming 'the medita-1
tion in order for the day.'
"" In directing the penitent to a gracious
Saviour, the deep emotions of a heart travail¬
ing in birth for souls would lay every energy ®f
his mind under contribution—speech would
grow rapidly and loud, and his memory sel¬
dom failed to supply the most appropriate
and soothing passages of Scripture. Then,
baptized with love, earnest and absorbed in
exhibiting the Divine compassion and pre¬
sent willingness to pardon the returning sin¬
ner, amid gushing tears and thickened utter¬
ance, he would pray with a fervour and
enlargement truly remarkable."
no duty neglected.
83
CHAPTER IX.
HELP US TO HELP EACH OTHER, LORli !
EACH OTHER'S CROSS TO BEAR ;
LET EACH HIS FRIENDLY AID APFORD,
AND FEEL HIS BROTHER'S CARE. C. WESLEY.
no duty neglected.
It has been shown how Father Reeves
gathered men into the church, and how he
taught them when there ; but there are a few
other points in the character of a successful
leader, and these were conspicuous in the
leader, before us. He was invariably pre¬
sent at the weekly meeting of the stewards
and leaders ; and as he ixlways collected the
money from his members weekly, he as regu¬
larly paid the amount to the stewards. The
writer cannot imagine the attraction which
would have prevented our friend from the
discharge nf this duty; -whoever else was
absent, Father Reeves was in the Lambeth
Chapel vestry on Thursday evening; there
he sat, always on one spot, on the left of the
minister, his class-book ready, the addition
of the last column checked by some younger
84
FATHER REEVES.
brother, and the money in the hand waiting
for the steward to enter it.
And his books are models. No blanks, or
extremely few, against the members' names,
but either the money or a sufficient reason
for absence.
" He was very skilful," says the female
friend who has previously so well sketched
his proceedings, "in keeping the weekly pay¬
ments straight. ' Don't let Satan tempt you
to remain away because you have got behind,
and cannot pay up the score; come and be¬
gin afresh.' But lest this should leave room
for laxity and indifference, in what he con¬
sidered a very important duty, he would
describe, in most glowing terms, the immense
pleasure some of the 'dear people' felt in
making sacrifice and using self-denial, as he
would say, ' for the gospel;' illustrating his
remarks by appropriate anecdotes, and always
giving us credit for such excellences as he
desired we should possess. He would never
allow the false idea that religion was expen¬
sive. ' Let them compare the trifle given for
the support of the gospel'with those expenses
into which sin has ledtbem, and then judge.' "
In one of the addresses referred to, Father
Reeves, after enjoining obedience to the
Rules, " that we may not bring any disgrace
on the church of Christ," and urging punc¬
tuality "in private devotion," adds: "The
NO DUTY NEGLECTED. 85
Lord hath heard and answered our prayer,
and hath sent us faithful and able ministers
to preach to us the blessed gospel, and they
must he supported. Not by thousands a
yfear, for then only the great and the rich could
have the honour and privilege of paying;
but our ministers have a smaller sum, apd,
blessed be the Lord! he hath given us that
are poor this great luxury—to help to pay
the LorcPs servants by a penny a week. Let
u& say with David, I will not offer 1 unto the
Lord my God of that which doth cost me
nothing.' 2 Sam. xxiv. 24."
Father Reeves did not content himself
with giving " a penny a weekhe gave as
the Lord enabled him; but he had many in
his classes who could spare no more. He
loved those who ministered to the Lord's peo"
pie in holy things, and evidenced his attach¬
ment to them at all times.
Among such large numbers under his care,
he had a long list of the sick, the poor, and
the aged. He looked well to them ; his list
was always ready 4'en poor's night," the
name and the particulars of the ease briefly
stated, and the sum he desired asked for.
When this was increased by any suggestion
from a brother, the emphatic " Thank you,
sir," and the quickly-altered figures told how
much he delighted to be the church's almo¬
ner to the 'Saviour's poor members. Occa-
8
86
FATHER REEVES.
sionally he was intrusted by others with
gifts for the poor, privately; and all these
accounts of receipts and distributions were
regularly kept in his books.
One of his 'former members says of him:
" While cultivating the charity that thinketh
no evil, he carefully discriminated character,
and dealt with parties accordingly. Such as
sought through him certain supposed advan¬
tages from membership, while higher and
worthier motives were believed to be absent,
were not long in discovering the expediency
of a retreat from their position. To the sin¬
cere his heart was ever expansive; cordial
invitation and affectionate welcome always
awaited them, and beamed expressively
through his peculiar contour of features;
but to the worldly views of others, as much
severity could be manifested $s comported
with the Christian character."
The vSame'friend says: "Little children,
brought by their parents, were always affec¬
tionately and appropriately regarded. This
attention has often proved an additional link
in the chain which united him and his mem-
bersi" One of his papers, apparently writ¬
ten to be lent, is an address "to a mother
with an infant." He loved the .social and
family characteristics of Methodism ; but, as
this friend remarks, "he would check, and
even silence observations indiscreetly alluding
NO DtfTY NEGLECTED. 87
to domestic and family affairs; yet it was
felt, that if counsel upon perplexing ques¬
tions was. needed, there was an open ear, a
careful" judgment, and a sincere, sympa¬
thizing heart, ready to attend, ponder, and
assists Confidence was never shaken nor
propriety shocked by disclosure."
In one other particular of excellence as a
class-leader should Father Reeves be viewed
•>—his visitation of the sick and absent mem¬
bers at their own homes. Many modern
leaders think they do their duty by meeting,
with something approaching to regularity,
those members who may come to them on the
class night; they, perhaps, send a message
by a member to " the sick, the lame, and the
lazy;" or they content themselves by scold¬
ing the delinquents in their absence, thus
troubling the members present with the con¬
demnation of faults which they at least have
avoided. Not so this admirable leader. To
estimate aright the. following- statement, let
it be borne in mind, that till Father Reeves
Was seventy years of age, he' had to work
daily for his living; that on Sundays, for
many years, he was, except during very brief
intervals, in the* chapel from seven in the
morning till eight o'clock at night, and after
that -at a neighbouring prayer meeting; that
every evening in the week, but one, was
sppnt in the-chapel,' school room or vestry, in
88
FATHER REEVES.
some religious service; and yet he undertook
and accomplished an amount of house-to-
house visitation of his members, suph as made
his persoir well known through the neigh¬
bourhood to, saint and sinner, and kept up
the numbers and spirit of his classes to an
unparallelled degree.
His visits, during the early years of his
leadership, were few, or were not fully re¬
corded ; but, taking his class-books from
1825 to 1852, nearly thirteen thousand visits
njay be traced—an average of four hundred
and fifty a year; and, during the last five
years, they averaged six hundred and fifty a
year. These £,re exclusively to his classes—
to those detained by sickness, business, or
temptation, and entirely apart from his visits*
on account of tho Strangers' Friend Society,
•or his visits to members who had unavoid¬
ably left his classes. Were these added, it is
probable that his domiciliary visitations would
amount to one thousand a year for the last
three years. "These visits," says an old
member, " were seasons of considerable inte¬
rest ; solicitude for your temporal welfare
was not emitted, but his absorbing anxieties
were directed to spiritual concerns ; no mem¬
ber of the household was forgotten. My
wife has remarked, ' Your old leader is always
about his Master's business. Few men within
the sphere of my observation won more
NO DUTY NEGLECTED.
89
respett than did he from- those Who had been
educated m accordance with other church
systems." A poor woman, who, with her
husband, met in Father Reeves's Sunday-
class, writes: "If we have been absent from
class, through illness, he has been sure to
call the next morning before nine o'clock.
Many a time he has helped us out of his own
pocket, for fear we should not have bread."
Another friend, who met with Father
Reeves for the last twelve years, says : "His
visits to my house,'which occurred about
once in a quarter, were always anticipated
with pleasure by every member of my family,
and proved seasons of delightful communion
to us, his heavenly conversation raising our
minds and hearts to things above; each visit
being followed by an influence which convinced
us that a man of God had been our guest.
For the true happiness of our children he
evinced an almbst parental solicitude. Many
and importunate were his prayers, acconv-
panied by many tears, to the throne of grace,
that they might be made partakers of the
blessings of salvation ; and sincerely did he
rejoice with us, as he saw, from time to time,
one after another of them translated ? into
the kingdom of God's dear Son. One of his
letters to us, dated December, 1851, we re¬
ceived a day or two after a Sabbath evening
when he had noticed our six children, side by
8*
90
FATHER REEVES.
side, commemorating the death of our dear
Redeemer, at the table of the Lord, in Lam¬
beth Chapel. He tells us that his joy was
inexpressible; it filled his heart."
This was a sight likely to interest angels,
to move all good people, and would be sure
to melt the tender heart of onr departed
friend. This was another point in which he
was. exemplary; he regularly received the
sacrament of the Lord's supper himself, and
uniformly urged the duty on his members.
" ' The command and invitation,' " says
one who met with him, " 'of the Lord Jesus
rendered it,' he would urge, ' a binding duty
on fhe followers of Christ, if gratitude and
love for the won,drous acts commemorated had
not impelled to the communion of saints.'
At our meetings prior to sacrament Sunday
he was sure to make the announcement, to¬
gether with the ' hope of meeting all my dear
'members at the table of the *Lord.' "
And he lookgd after them too. For many
a long year the good old man took his stand
just under the corner of the pulpit stairs,
gently aiding t© form the line of wraiting com¬
municants, and narrowly scanning each line
for the members of his own flock.
He loved the "society meetings," aitd re¬
gretted they were not more frequently held,
and also that when held they were not con¬
fined to members.
NO DUTY NEGLECTED.
91
This good, old-fashioned custom of meeting
the society and examining the tickets is one
•of the family characteristics of Methodism
which should not be lost.
The love-feast, too, especially delighted
Father Reeves ; he was always ready here
to tell' how " the poor unlettered shepherd
hoy" found peace with God, always ready
to counsel private prayer and preparation for
the Sabbath.
Orderly in every thing, he has sometimes
told us, "Even my clothes are all laid out
ready to put on in the morning ; I can put my
hand on all I want in the dark."
Self-denial he constantly urged. Early
rising he insisted on as all but necessary to a
growth in grace. " Does not your Lord," he
sometimes asked, "find you in your bed when
he looked for you on your knees ?"
Though greatly afflicted, and frequently
unable to get rest at night, he- would not he
induced to lie down during the day. He con¬
sidered any disposition to this indulgence
a temptation from Satan; and few things
grieved himfmore than to find a mere excuse
offered for absence from Mass. "0,"said?
he, " if the members of society did but knoW
how it pierces the heart of a leader when he
visits them to know why they were not at class,
to hear this answer : ' I was poorly, so I lay
down, till it was too late !' " He expresses a
92
FATHER REEVES,
deep and serious fear lest such may be found
"laid down at ease" when " the Bridegroom
cometh," and that they will not recover their
earnestness till it is "too late," and "the
door is shut."
That his attendance^on the public means
of grace, and his diligent visitation of his ab¬
sent members, did not interfere with those
private religious duties by which the soul of
the Christian is chiefly sustained, may be
gathered from the following rather singular
paper, which relates to one of his most pros¬
perous years in business.
" December, 1831.—This year has been a
year of many mercies, as well as all the years
of my life—mercies temporal and spiritual.
In the midst of much distress and want of
trade in our land, glory be to my heavenly
Father, he hath given me enough and to
spare! I have earned this year the sum of
<£84 14s. l^<f. 0, when I consider I am but
u steward of all I possess, how shall I stand
to give an account at the morning of the re¬
surrection ? 0, that the ever-blessed Lord
may increase my wisdom to manage all to his
■ glory ! I have heard this year one hundred
and eighty six sermons ; and have been at
one hundred and thirty public prayer meet¬
ings, and one hundred and fiftyjeight class
meetings; and have paid two hundred and
fifty visits to members at their own houses;
NO DUTY NEGLECTED.
93
one thousand and ninety-five times I have
prayed with my family ; one thousand and
ninety-five times in private, with my ever-
blessed Jesus at the throne of grace. 0, how
'I loathe myself when God I see,
And into nothing fall!'
0, that the Lord may help me to redeem the
time!"
94
father reeves,
CHAPTER X.
AIL -WORLDLY JOYS GO LESS
TO THE ONE JOY OF DOING KINDNESSES. HERBERT.
father reeves and hib .members.
In 1839, the members of the three classes
at that time met by our departed friend, sub¬
scribed to present to him a Bible, prayer-
book, and hymn-book; and they caused a
list of their names to be printed. This token
of love deeply affected the leader. He read
them a touching and most Scriptural address.
But he turned the printed list to good pur¬
pose; he wrote against the names an account
of what became of them as far as he could
trace them. No slight work; for, out of
one hundred and fifty-one members in 1839,
only seventy-seven remained in the classes
four years afterward.
In 1848, he records, "Four have been
made leaders, seven have died happy ifi the
Lord, ten have become backsliders, seventy-
seven remain with me, twenty have removed,"
and the rest appeaf to have been taken away
HIS MEMBERS. 95
to assist in forming new classes. In 1847,
the Wednesday class was transferred to an¬
other leader; only ten remained of the forty-
one .counted in 1839. In 1851, the numbers
in the other two classes, found in the printed
list, are thus counted up:
Removals, and to form new classes 58
Deaths..,..., 18
Backsliders » 15
Remaining with me 19
110
In 1851, Father Reeves remarks: "Two
classes have been divided from the Sunday
class since 1839; two from the Friday."
The above numbers will showT in what a very
fluctuating population the parish of Lambeth
has hitherto abounded. The Sunday-school
and the congregation bear the same evidence.
Looking at this fact, the service of .such a
leader as Father Reeves, who was ever ready
for the roughest as well as the most polished
material, cannot be over-estimated.
" On Sunday, May 18, 1851, we gave an
account of all these members"—the printed
list—" and we all spoke our present expe¬
rience by a text of Scripture. This is my
general experienc'e, 1 Cor. vi. .11; this is my
present experience, Gal. ii. 201 and for my
dear children, 3 John 4; Isa. liv. 13."
some years our lamented friend was
96
FATHER REEVESv
favoured with unusual accessions to the num¬
ber of his members. This was especially the
case in the first visitation of that awful
scourge, the cholera, when one of our resi¬
dent ministers, the Rev. John Storry, Was
removed by it. This event, with others,
made a deep impression on the people, and in
March, 1833, Father Reeves records: "The
number in my three classes is one hundred
and fifty-eight, being an increase, since last
March, of sixty-nine; and there are on trial,
this quarter, twelve. Glory be to the Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost, for calling so many
sinners out of the world, and receiving them
into the church, and fitting them for glory!"
Some of the prayer meetings in his classes
at this time were distinguished by much of
the divine presence; at one penitent prayer
meeting twelve souls were set at liberty.
Again, ki 1838, Father Reeves writes, accord¬
ing to his wont, in his class-book, which, as
it now contained the record of four classes,
barely lasted six months;
" Glory be to his holy name, he has been
fulfilling that great and glorious promise
which he so clearly and fully gave me onn
Sunday morning, about the year 1830, when
on my knees praying for my classes: 4 The
Lord shall increase you more and more, you,
and your children; ye are blessed of .the
Lord which made heaven and earth/ O,
HIS MEMBERS.
97
my ever-blessed Father, keep me humble at
the feet of Jesus while thou savest poor sin¬
ners !1 0, what have mine eyes seen ! The
Lord has added in this class-book:
To my Sunday -afternoon class 9
Sunday evening 8
Wednesday 12
Friday 8
37
And the blessed Lord has set twenty souls at
happy liberty."
Every quarter he carefully took out an
estimate of his classes, usually adding the
statistics for the circuit. The following is a*
specimen:
STATE OF MY CLASSES, DECEMBER, 1842.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
Removals r 3
Backsliders., .• ...» 1
Number of members 80
On trial 6
Found peaee 6
Last quarter ... ,74
Increase.. 6
WEDNESDAY.
Removals 5
Numbers , 66
On trial i 4
Found peaee 4
Last quarter 60
Increase.*. 6
9
98
FATHER REEVES.
FRIDAY.
Removals.
Numbers.,
On trial..,
Found peace
Last quarter.
5
44
1
1
44
Total number of members
On trial
Found peace
Number of members at Lambeth.
Total in the circuit
Number on trial
Increase this quarter
190
11
11
665
1561
61
12
The last address of Father Reeves to his
Sunday class is preserved. It was for the-
prayer meeting in October, 1852; in it he
greets his "very dear and beloved children
in the Lord Jesus," calls upon them ".with
all their souls to join him in praising the
Triune God." He says: "For the last six
months you have given me, your unworthy
leader, far greater joy and gladness of heart
than in all the thirty-four years before ; and
not to me only; for this would have been no
joy to me had it not been for the glory of our
heavenly Father. Again we will sing, Hal¬
leluiah to God and the Lamb, who hath given
us grace to fulfil all righteousness! for many
of you, by self-denial, by taking up the cross
weekly, have given full proof that, in accord-
ance with our Lord's command, you have
loved him more than father or mother, son
his members.
99
or daughter, husband or wife, or any pre¬
tended friend, or gold, or silver, or any of
the comforts of life."
He then proceeds to state the sins of the
Churches of Asia, pointing out each, and
making valuable practical remarks.
Only one paper more -on the subject of
leadership, though he has left materials for
a volume. It is the laudable practice at the
Lambeth leaders* meeting, when a new leader
is to be proposed for reception, to ask him
whether he believes, and how he would teach,
the Scriptural doctrines which are generally
taught among Methodists; Of course, the
quality of the answers is varied; but Father
Reeves was anxious that those made leaders
from his classes should pass their examination
well. There is reason to believe the following
paper was prepared for the benefit of one-of
these friends:
"My Dear Brother:—You will be asked
in the first place, whether you believe that all
mankind are fallen, and are become sinners ?
The answer is, Gen. -vi, 5; Isa. i. 4-6 ; Mark
vii. 21—23. You will be asked whether it is
needful that a sinner should repent, and what
repentance is ? Luke xiii. 5; xxiv. 47 ; Acts
v. 31; xvq. 30. Also, what would you say
to a poor sinner who should cry out, What
must I dq to be saved ?' The answer is, John
100
FATHER REEVES.
i. 29; Acts xv'i. 81. You Vvill be asked,
whether Christ died for all men ? The ■answer
is, Heb. ii. 9; 1 Tim. ii. 4-6 ; Acts x. 84, 35.
You will he asked, How is a sinner justified,
and what text of Scripture you would give to
prove it ? You may find an answer, Rom. v.
1; iii. 28-31. • You will be asked, What is
sanctjfication ? You may give a Scriptural
answer, Matt. xxii. 37, And by what means
a believer is sanctified? Take Acts xv. 9;
1 John i. 9. The promise of sanctification is
found in Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 26. You will be
asked, whether it is possible to lose it and
finally fall? The answer is, 1 Tim. i. 19;
Heb. x. 26, 27, 38; 2 Peter ii. 20-22; Heb.
vi. 4-6. You will be asked, whether you be¬
lieve in the general resurrection, and the day
,of judgment? The answer is, John v.* 25;
Acts xxiv. 15. And whether you believe • in
eternal punishment ? Matt. xxv. 46; Mark,
ix. 43; Rev. xiv. 11. You will be asked,
whether you believe that the Holy Ghost is
God? The answer is, Acts vj 3, 4."
Father Reeves might have added other
questions; but these show h'ow alive, he was
to the reputation of any who had" been his
members.
his religious experience. 101
CHAPTER XI.
TO JOIN THE SPIRITS OF THE JUST
YOUR LEADER HATH DEPARTED ;
BE COMFORTED, BE COMFORTED,
YE BRUISED AND BROKEN-HEARTED.
M. HOWITT.
his religious experience.
The usefulness of our beloved and lament¬
ed friend was founded on bis experimental
acquaintance with the truths he wished others
to embrace.
,"It seems rational to hope," says Dr.
Johnson, " that they who are piost able to
teach others the way to happiness should with
the most certainty follow it therflselve^but
the moralist intimates that this expectation
is frequently disappointed.
Now, Father Reeves could well teach others
the way, for he was constantly walking in it.
He„knew and loved " the path of the com¬
mandments;" he was familiar with all the
guide-posts "of promise;" he drank re-
9*
102
father reeves.
peatedly of "the wells of salvation;" and*
from the commencement of his Christian
course, he followed "the path of life" with
the certainty that appertains to the deepest
conviction of truth, and manifests itself in
unwavering consistency of character.
He had been four years a class-leader
before he committed to writing that covenant
with God which he had repeatedly made
before. In the same book from which his
autobiography is taken, the following is
found:
" Here, for the first time, for want of cou¬
rage, to my shame, I commit my covenant in
writing; but, this morning, feeling that the
Lord accepts me for his own, I here, with
my hand and all my heart, give myself to
him.
"0, Lord, I am thine; save me! If thou
sparest me this year, help me to glorify thy
name; and if thou takest me, take me to
thyself. I am thy unworthy servant,
William Reeves.
" January 7, 1822."
Underneath this is written at a later time,
"You will see I am a bad speller, but a worse
sinner"; though this remark probably refers
to the narrative of his life which followed.
Occasional entries in the blank leaves of
his class-books testify, from time to time, the
HIS RELIGIOUS- EXPERIENCE. 103
trials and the' triumphs of our friend's faith,
and of his growth in grace. Of late years
fhese entries became more copious, and some
extracts m,ay be made from them. In March,
1840, is the following:
" I believe the ever-blessed Lord is carry¬
ing on his own work of 'grace in my poor
soul, because I never felt the corruption and
awful depravity of my own heart and life as
I do now. Yes, indeed! it is one thing to
read of it in the word of God where it is so
clearly pointed out—one thing to hear of it
from the pulpit, and to talk about it to others
—but, 0, how different it Is when we see and
feel it ivithin by the light of the Spirit of
God! Well might my beloved Saviour say,
' If I wash you not, ye have no part with me.'
I bless the Lord that I ever felt his blood
applied to my poor polluted heart, and still
feel that I have need of its efficacious power
every moment."
In another, hook, the same year, is written:
" Glory be to thy holy name that thou con¬
tinue st to make thy house my sweetest home
on earth; but praise the Lord, 0, my soul,
that I know my name is written in the
Lamb's book of life; and if the 'earthly
hous'e of this tabernacle' were dissolved, 'I
have a building of God, eternal in the hea¬
vens !''
His experience continued to deepen. In
104
FATHER REEVES.
1843, lie wrote: " Confinement bj sickness is
a seasonable opportunity for improvement in
patience and resignation; the love of God is
a sweet support in pain. Glory be to thy
holy name, I feel it has opened a paradise
on earth! I now feel I am ' dead indeed
unto sin,' and 'my life is hid with Christ in
God.' 0, my soul, art thou indeed lodged
in such a heavenly place? The thought is
overwhelming."
Father Beeves was no stranger to afflic¬
tion. He blesses God for having given him
power -to endure, but says, in 1843: "My
nights have been full of tossing to and fro till
the dawning of the day: often have I been
obliged, through severe pain, to get out of
bed from ten to twenty times in the night
and walk my chamber; and yet the blessed
Lord hath given me strength to labour hard
all the day for the bread that perisheth, and
to meet my classes, and to enjoy the visita¬
tion of the poor and sick of the Lord's peo¬
ple. His grace has ever been sufficient for
me."
On some of these nights of painful watch¬
ing, his soul was so blessed, while relying
"by faith on the precious atoning blood,"
that he says, " I almost fear sinking into the
arms of sleep, lest I should fail to retain the
bliss I now enjoy. Give thine angels charge
over me!"
HIS1 RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 105
In 1844, an entry runs thus : " For seve¬
ral weeks past my soul has been longing for
> clearer testimony from the Spirit of my
entire sanctificatiom I pleaded hard with
the Lord for it, through the precious blood
of Jesus; and, glory be to my heavenly
Father! he very soon granted me the desire
of my heart, though so unworthy, and filled
my soul with 'perfect love.' Blessed be the
name of the Triune God for his unspeakable
lote to me I"
This blessing Father Beeves appears to
have enjoyed at an earlier date, but his evi¬
dence of it was now, as he remarks, given to
him "afresh'* and. "far brighter."
In 1845, while reading the Scriptures in
family worship, and "meditating, by the help
of the Holy Spirit, on the exceeding great
and precious promises, my soul," says our
friend, "was in very deedr in a large and
overwhelming sense, made a partaker of the
divine nature. O, how was I humbled at
the Saviour's feet, find my soul filled with
glory and praise to the almighty God of love!"
Take extracts from another entry: "My
body being tossed with great pain so that 1
could not sleep all night, while-1 was medi¬
tating un the mercy of God and the love of
Jesus at midnight, divine light rushed into
tpy soul; and, though it was all darkness
without, glory be to God.!' it wad all heavenly
106
FATHER REEVES.
light within." He went on meditating about
heaven, the glorious city, the New Jerusalem,
and the Lamb in the midst of the throne,
when, he says, " This blessed part of the
word of God, was, by his Spirit, spoken to
my heart in a voice loud but sweet: 'lam
the light of the world; he that followeth me
shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the
light of life/ In a moment my soul was so
filled with that light and life, my peace and
joy became so exceeding great, the blood of
atonement so sweet and preeious, that it
must have been a portion of heavenly joy and
glory poured into my soul. I could only find
vent for my happiness by erying, f Glory,
glory, glory to God and the Lamb forever
and forever!" 0, this was a happy night of
pain! I would not have been without it for
all the sleep in the world. If ever I could
say in truth, it is now:
' With thee conversing, we forget
All time, and toil, and care;
Labour is rest, and pain is sweet,
If thou, yjy God, art here.' "
From this time his experience is of the
richest and deepest tone; and, but that re¬
ligious biography has for years past presented
Christian enjoyment to the readers, till it is
feared, some of the effect of the recital is
lost, a whole, volume might be filled with
passages nearly as rich as the above.
HIS RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES. 107
Father Reeves was eminently a practical
man; and yet, had he indulged it, he might
have exhibited much power of imagination.
One of his class speaks of the aptness of his
illustrations of Scripture doctrine and ex¬
perience drawn from the scenes of his boy¬
hood, and so true to nature, as at once to
awaken interest and rivet attention. The
following extract shows the imaginative faculty
busy in sleep, and almost realizes an answer
to the prayer of Oharles Wesley:
"Loose me from the chains of .sense;
Set pie from the body free ;
Draw, with stronger influence,
' My unfettered soul to thee ;
In me, Lord, thyself reveal;
Fill me with a sweet surprise ;
Let me thee, when waking, feel;
Let me in thy image rise."
" July 18,1846.—This night I was in much
.pain of body, and walked my bedroom for
some hours; then I returned to bed very
happy in my soul, and, as I lay down, I said
10, my ever-blessed Jesus ! may I dare to ask
thee to suffer such a poor, sinful, unworthy*
worm as I to lean my head on my Redeemer's
breast?' and, glory be to God! it appeared as
if I was in the arms of my blessed Saviour,
and I fbll asleep in this happy frame of mind.
Shortly I dreamed I whs in the country
again, where I was brought up, striving to
108
FATHER REEVES.
drive a horse into a stable where I had driven
many when I was young; but this horse I
thought was like the animal Balaam rode.
I strove hard to get it in, but could not.
After a few minutes, a tall, thin figure, like
a man, came rushing out; but I did not see
his face. I said, ' I knew whom you seek;
it is I;' and I felt as if it had been real.
But I felt no fear; my mind was sweetly
tranquil, and, believing it was Geath, I said,
' Come quickly, and do your office;' and he
turned round with a dart in his hand and
thrust it into my side; and, as soon as the
fatal blow was struck, I expected instant
heaven, and I began to sing a part of the
hymn beginning, ' "Vital spark,' and I sang :
0, death, where is thy sting ?
0, death, where is thy sting ?' etc.
And, in the act of singing, I awoke. My
heart was deeply .affected, and, I began to
praise God for keeping me from fear in the
immediate prospect of death. This vision of
the night has been of great benefit to my
soul; it has led me more closely to examine
myself, .and to pray more fervently to my
heavgnly Father that I may, in very deed, be
found of him at last in so sweet and tranquil
a mind, without fear, trusting alone in the
precious blood of Jesus.
"I do not put any confidence in dreams;
no; for I have beep so many years afflicted
HIS BJ?UGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 109
that I have been like Job,' scared with dreams,
and terrified with visions of the night,' and I
should not have noticed this but that the
power, merej, goodness, and love of God
should not be forgotten. Mr. Wesley says :
'A dream is a fragment of life broken off at
both ends, not connected either with the part
that is gone before or with that which follows
after.' 0, that I may never forget
' My life is a dream ; my time, as a stream,
Glides -swiftly away %
And the fugitive moment refuses to stay!' "
Under date Sunday, August 16, 1846, we
have the following burst of holy confidence.*
With such faith, no wonder Father Reeves
was a successful leader:
<l This morning I read at family worship the
third chapter of John, and when I came to
the exceedingly precious lines, the sixteenth
and seventeenth verses, the Lord, in a most
extraordinary manner, broke in on my soul
by the light of his Holy Spirit. He filled my
whole soul with pure light, fulness of joy,
and holy love. All language fails to express
what I felt—all the powers of my soul had
such a mighty grasp of faith. I saw and
felt, as I never saw before, that the almighty
Father did not love me in word only, but in
deed and in truth, in bestowing that, unspeak¬
able gift of his -well-beloved and only-begotten
Son. And I saw so'clearly the precious love
10
110
FATHER REEVES!
of his dear Son so sweetly blending with the
Father's, that they became together one
mighty ocean of unfathomable love. The
ever-blessed Spirit revealed this love to my
soul and opened my understanding, so that
I feel now if I had a thousand souls—yes !
I feel if I had ten thousand worlds of souls,
and they were all sunk as black and deep in
sin as Sodom, or the Jews, or any Gentiles—
yet I can so fully believe in the precious
blood of atonement, that if they will repent,
and go by faith to that precious Fountain of
blood, I firmly believe it will wash them all as
white as snow, and make them all meet for
glory.
" 0, the real enjoyment even in antici¬
pating everlasting life ! No angel tongue can
tell it, but feeling it fills my soul. I am led
to exclaim, 0, the depth of the wisdom and
love of God!
' Lord, I believe thy precious blood,
Which, at the mercy-seat of God,
Forever doth for sinners plead,
For me, e'en for my soul, was shed.
' Lord, I believe were sinners more
Than sands upon the ocean shore,
Thou hast for all a ransom paid,
For all a full atonemefit Inade.' "
Our next extract will be Jan. 2, 1848:
" This afternoon I found a most solemn and
heart—affecting time at ' ^he renewal of the
HIS RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. I'll
•covenantand yet to my soul it was
the most refreshing ever felt. I was, in
very deed, enabled by grace Divine, through
faifh, to touch the precious covenant blood,
and thereby I felt assured that I received the
seal that moment, stamped by love divine
with all its sanctifying power. 0, I' shall
never forget how unspeakably precious was
Christ to me that moment! I was able to
give up my body and soul with all I am and
have—to give up my dear wife, and my
classes, which are my dear children; and this
I solemnly did, as though it were the last
covenant I should ever make with God.
" And now, th'ou -Triuner God, searcher
of hearts, thou knowest that I make this
covenant with thee this day without any known
guile or reservation, beseeching thee, if thou
cspiest any flaw or falsehood therein, thou
wouldst discover it to me, and help me to do
aright. And now^ glory be to God the Father,
to God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost!
I am thine, and thou art my Father. Amen
and Amen.
' Now, 0 God, thine own I am,
Now I give thee back thine owb—
Freedom, friends, and health, and fame
Consecrate to thee alone ;
Thine I live, thrice happy I—
Happier still if thine I die!' "
♦Father Reeves frequently records* his joy
112
FATHER REEVES.
in visiting tlie sick members of his olasses,
and this year especially. "My soul," he-
says, " has been drinking with them of the
fountain of life freely; and, ia looking through
the week's list, I find, by the mercy of God,
I have been enabled to visit twenty-three
families, in the distance from Smithfield to
Clapham. 0, what love doth my Father sho^v
me to grant this great luxury, and strength
of body to travel so far at almost seventy
years of age !"
The close of the year J848 was a time of
great prosperity in the classes of oar dear
friend. A young man w7ho had met with
him, and enjoyed religion, but had changed
his residence, and lost his hope, came to
Father Reeves again. The class prayed for
the Wanderer; and the leader says, " Glory
.be to Jesus! he had not been in the class long
before the Lord took the lamb out of the
lion's mouth. "VYe rejoiced over him as those
who had taken a great spoil."
At another meeting he says, " One of our
dear sisters, whom Satan had bound, lo!
more than twelve years, received pardon, and
shouted aloud for joy. 'Hie class were all
much quickened." The work spread, and the
following entry is made :
" Went to my happy class this afternoon ;
it was our monthly prayer meeting, and truly
it was a time never to be forgotten* It was
HIS RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 113
a time of breaking down and building up.
Penitents began to cry for mercy, and those
wKo bad lately found cordoning grace began
to praise Him aloud; while all those who had
-Jong enjoyed peace through believing, were
now led in a most extraordinary and earnest
manner to cry for perfect love; and although
there were so many, yet there was but one
heart, one soul, one voice. 'Love, love, per¬
fect love !' was the cry of all; and, glory be.
to God ! we did not cry in vain; the Spirit
of love was so poured out upon us that we
.scarcely could part. This Sabbath has been
a foretaste of the Sabbath ab.ove. But there
are some cold-hearted professes, because they
do-not possess this love, are asking, 'Doth
old Methodism live among us now in Lam¬
beth V I can answer with joy and say,
' Come and see.'
" Sinners are awakened, and are crying
for mercy. Come and see.
" Penitents are justified by faith, and have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ. Come and see.
" Believers are by faith plunged into that
fountain that is opened for sin and unclean-
ness, and are washed and sanctified, and made
white through the blood of the Lamb. It is
so now. Come and see."
An entry, January, 1849, shows something
of the character of the members he had to visit:
10*
114
FATHER REEVES.
44 Glory be to God, in visiting the sick and
dying to-day among my dear children, I have
found such a degree of happiness, peace/and
joy, that I seldom, if ever, felt before I Truly,
my cup has run over while hearing the sure
evidence and transporting joy of several of
God's dying saints.
" Esther N , aged 82 ; near death ; but
she is as a little child, lying at the feet of Jesus,
full of faith and joy unspeakable. Truly her
life is hid with Christ in God.
44 Caroline E , aged 82 ^ has been a
member of Christ's church forty years, and
is still fixed on the rock.
44 Anne P——, aged 80 $ a member fifty
years, and has been confined to her room- for
more than four years; but she is firmly fixed
in the cleft of the rock.
44 Francis R , aged 84; a member fifty
years ; in much pain, bpt resigned and happy.
44 Mary R ; very ill,- and with some
doubts.
"Fanny K ; very ill, but unspeakably
happy.
44 Ann N ; very feeble; she can not tell
her age. Mr. Wesley gave her her first, ticket.
She has been a backslider, but has been
restored for ten years, and enjoys much
peace."
his r^ugiotjs experience. 115
CHAPTER XII.
YOU SEE-THE MAN ; YOU SEE HIS HOLD OF HEAVEN:.
HEAVEN WAITS NOT THE LAST MOMENT; OWNS ITS
FRIENDS
ON THIS SIDE DEATH, AND POINTS THEM OUT TO MEN.
YOUNG.
religious character and experience.
Numerous entries in his diary show tlie
humility of Father Reeves. Respected an/1
loved by all, he was encouraged in the
leaders' meeting freely to offer his opinion;
hut he was not always satisfied that he had de¬
livered himself in the best manner. " I have,"
said he, " a continual fear of offending in
word; this I 'have often done% not willingly,
hut by speaking too much, as I did this even¬
ing on the outward affairs of the church. I
thank my heavenly Father that I have not to
condemn myself for speaking anything posi¬
tively evil; but I am much to blame that, after
so much teaching from Hod and man, I have
not more wisdom and knowledge to guide me
to speak aright at all times. Lord., help me !
116
FATHER REE-VES.
I want to be bumble, that my Heart may
always glow writh the love of God and man.
" 0, might my lot be cast with these,
The least of Jesus' witnesses!
0, that my Lord would count me meet
To wash his dear disciples' feet!"
Not many months before the death of oiar
friend, a slight difference of opinion on some
point of practice had occurred in the leaders'
meeting. He heard that one or two were
somewhat grieved at what he was supposed to
have said. He came down the next week,
and, with a heart full of love, and a voice
trembling with emotion, offered "to go(on
his knees to seek forgiveness from any bTother
he had offended.-'
After he became too infirm for manual
labour, he devoted his whole time to the
Lord. In 1849, the cholera was again with
us, and, though feeble and afflicted, our
friend was always employed. "I spent,"
he says, on the 20tb August, "some time in
reading and prayer, and then .went out to
visit for the Strangers' Friend Society
I-visited ten cases for this society to-day
—eight of these cholera cases; and I saw
two members of my classes ill with the same
disease. I felt almost worn out, but glory
be to God! though I am tired in body, I am
not tired of the glorious work. I could wish,
were it my heavenly Father's will, that I had
another body to wear out in his service, for
HIS RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 117
his glory and the salvation of sinners. I
used to pray, while I was young, that if I
was spared to grow old and past labour, and
it were the Lord's will, I might live on a little
longer, and be enabled to do a little for him
in visiting the sick. Qlory forever be to his
holy name, he has given me the desire of my
heart! 0, what wondrous love ! If the Lord
had not given me this glorious work, per-
adventure my old body had grown lazy, and
my poor soul Sunk down with it. How pre¬
cious is.this work daily to my soul!"
In March, 1850, is this entry: "I went
to my class this afternoon much oppressed
through- bodily infirmities ; my nature seemed
to shrink to meet so large a number; but,
gloly be to God! no sooner had I entered the
place wheje we meet than my -soul was filled
with iQve, joy, and peace. I felt, indeed,
the Lord was my strength in weakness. This
day has, been one of great peace and triumph
in nay class. One found peace, and some, I be¬
lieve, were sanctified; and, of late, every time
we have met, one or two have been pardoned,
and we are daily increasing our number."
" Whitsunday, 1850.—Glory be to God !
my. classes prosper. Although these are
troublous times, yet we are adding poor -sin¬
ners' names to our classes ^very week. And
as the penitents increased in number, we set
apart this day, to pray to almighty God that
118
FATHER REEVES.
he would pour out his Spirit as on the day of
Pentecost. And, glory to God! it was a
season of triumph. No sooner had Ave begun
to pour out our souls in fervent prayer and
faith, than there came down an overwhelm¬
ing power of the Spirit. Penitents began to
cry aloud for mercy, and, glory be to Jesus!
they did not cry in Arain. Five poor sinners
found peace by faith in the blood of the
Lamb. One poor old backslider was so over¬
come Avith the joy of pardoning love, that he
Avas some minutes before he could speak to
tell us. One poor stranger found mercy
from God; and I believe several of the old
members were made perfect in love. The
Spirit of love was poured out mightily on all, so
that we scarcely could part. It was a Whit¬
sunday, a day of Pentecost, never to be for¬
gotten. To the Triune God be all the glory, to
whom alone it is due! It so overcame my
weak body, that I could not rest day nor night
for pain ; but I could have Avished for another
body, to be spent for the Lord and the salva¬
tion of poor sinnets, in the same work."
August 7th, Father Reeves records the
death of one of his members : " He met with
me twenty-nine or thirty years. He came a
poor, broken-hearted sinner; he soon found
pardon through the blood of the Lamb, and
continued to grow in grace and in the knowr-
ledge of Jesus. He never missed his class;
HIS RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 119
ha loved Ms Bible and Ms closet." This was
a'man after .Father Reeves's own heart.
It is not because our departed friend never
knew depression that but few extracts are
given from his diary tinged with any sombre
hue-6—though he had far less of religious de¬
pression than most of God's saints—but
because other passages abound which show
an exalted state of piety,and spiritual enjoy¬
ment attainable; and it is deemed right to
bring forward selections from these, that the
souls of the faithful may be stimulated and
encouraged to seek the same blessings—to
walk, as'did Father Reeves,
" High in salvation and the climes of hliss."
October 6, 1850, was to our friend-a time
of great enjoyment. In the vestry, accord¬
ing to his wont, before every one else, he sat
reading the Bible and contemplating "the
exceeding great and precious promises." "I
felt in a moment," says Father Reeves, "as
though an audible voice spoke this promise to
my inmost soul: ' For so an entrance slihll
be ministered unto you abundantly into the
everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ.' 2 Pet. i. 11. I sunk into my
own nothingness, as in the dust, and exclaimed,
' What, Z, Lord ? such an unworthy worm as
I enter into thy glory?' and the words were
pplied with such extraordinary power, light,
120
.FATHER REEVES.
and glory, that my whole sotrL was filled with
inexpressible emotion.. I kneeled down, and,
with gushing tears of love and joy unspeak¬
able, could only exclaim, ' Glory, glory to
God the Father, God the Son, and God the
Holy Ghost, which hath sealed me again his
adopted child!' 0, may I ever be found
faithful to his covenant grace and love !
' Faith lends its realizing light J
The clouds disperse, the shadows fly:
The Invisible appears in sight,
And God is seen by mortal eye.' "
The diary is now full of beautiful thought
and reflection, and it is difficult to know what
to leave out. The following is inserted as a
contemplation of death:
"March 12, 1851.—This five or six days
past I have been confined to my home by
affliction, and have found it exceedingly pro¬
fitable. I have been taught some precious
lessons in my Father's school. 0, how sweet
it-is to sit there and learn, and say 'My Father's
will be done.' I don't know how near this
affliction is bringing me to death, neither
doth it trouble me to know; but I still rejoice
to live with Christ in my heart and one foot
in the grave. Glory be to God! my ever-
blessed Saviour is now fulfilling his precious
promise to my soul, 'Because I live, ye shall
live also.' I rejoice to feel and say, 'I am
crucified with Christ; nevertheless, I live;
HIS RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 121
yet riot I, but Christ liveth in me; and the
life ~ which "I now live in the flesh, I live by
the faith ©f the Son of God, who loved me,
and gave himself for me.' Although I can¬
not toll how near my affliction may bring me
to death, yet, glory be to God! I can, yea I
do, feel assured that grace,, faith, and love,
can bring me to glory; for, 'He that dwell-
eth in love dwelleth in God, for God is love.'
'"0, what are all my sufferings here,
If, Lord, thou count me meet
With that enraptured host t' appear,
And worship at thy feet ?
'(live joy er grief, give ease or pain,
Take life or friends aWay;
I come to find them -all again,
In that eternal day.' "
Another entry shows how ready his' mind
hq-d become to see " good in every thing*:"
" I was-walking do*wn London street to-day,
visiting the sick, and saw a newly-invented
ladder—a very clever thing, made for the
escape of people from their houses in cases
of fire. It was very high, but did not reach
heaven; but, 0, with what love and joy my
soul was filled while I remembered Jacob's
ladder, and know that this is my ladder—that
by this alone I escaped the fire of hell. And
now, by this ladder, which is Christ—as Mr.
Wesley says—I can daily, yea, hourly, ascend
by faith and hold intercourse with heaven,
122
FATHER REEVES.
and with the Father of spirits, 'Christ is
the way.' 0, wondrous love! 0, bo.und-
less grace! 0, that my longing soul may,
with far greater ardour,
'Run up with joy the shining way,
To see and praise my Lord!' "
"May 18.—A glorious day to-day; the
preached gospel has been made a, great bless¬
ing and comfort to my soul. The Rev. Mr.
M'Lean preached this morning front ' What
do ye more than others?' I was much hum¬
bled and ashamed that I had done so little
for Jesus and for the glory of God ; but I
could rejoice to feel and know that he had,
by divine grace, renewed my heart. In the
afternoon we had a blessed class meeting.
E^tch one took a portion of God's most holy
word to express his present and real expe¬
rience; many sorIs were filled with, perfect
love; and one poor old backslider, who had
been a backslider for more than sixty years,
was again, to-day, restored to perfect peace.
I believe we were all baptized afresh by the
Holy Ghost."
" August 31.—My soul -hath, indeed, all
this month, drank, and is now drinking, into
the fulness of God's love. 0, the unspeak¬
able joy of perfect love! My soul is living
in the happy land of Beulah—it is all sum¬
mer. I feel that all the means of grace, pub-
HIS RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 123
lie and private, at home and abroad, are
golden pipes t6 convey streams of blessings
to my soul, bought with the precious blood
of Jesus."
" October 31.—A thought came into my mind
which was made a great blessing to my soul.
I thought I was like a tree planted by a river
of water-^Ps. i. 3—as I have often seen in
the country, and, by the continual running
of the water, the eafth is all washed away by
little and little till the tree falls, as saith the
preacher—Eccl. xi. 3^-ahd, glory be to
God! I now feel I am just on the brink of
Jordan. Blessed be the Lord! the earth is
indeed almost washed away; there ate but a
very few small, fine roots that have got hold
of the earth; a very few floods more will wash
it all away, and then I feel I shall float over
Jordan into the sweet land of Canaan."
The watch-night of 18,51 and the covenant
Sunday of 1852 were seasons of the most
solemn self-examination,, and also of the
highest devotionalrenjoyment, to our departed
friend. . .
Through this year he continued to enjoy
most largely the sanctifying power of the
Holy Spirit, though at times he suffered
keenly from the assault oi temptation. His
body was evidently becoming weaker, and
the adversary of souls tried, in the moment
of physical suffering, to weaken his faith; but
124
FATHER REEVES.
Father Beeves knew his resource—the word
of God, the divine promise, and the blood of
atonement—and in believing prayer his enemy
was conquered!
" Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees."
Last June, our friend's diary states':
"Various have been my conflicts since I last
wrote—conflicts within ; conflicts in the
church which I so dearly love; conflicts in
my family,* although we are one heart and
soul in Christ; and conflicts in the world, for
the salvation of which I daily pray. Well,
I thank my ever-blessed God that he doth
continue to count me worthy to have a daily
cross, and to give me grace in any measure
to take it up and follow my Lord whither¬
soever he would have me go. But 0, the
unspeakable mercies, with all the joys and
comforts for my body, and, above all, for my
soul since I last wrote 1 0, yes ! joys in tri¬
bulation ; joys within ; unspeakable joys with
God; joys with my family ■;* joys in the ehurqh
below ; and a glorious joy, by faith and hope,
that I shall soon have a never-failing joy in
glory! Amen."
Hie next extract contains the last solemn
covenant with God the departed saint wrote:
* The affliction of TMrs. Reeves at this time.
HIS RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 125 '
" The end of another Methodistical year,
August, 1852. To-day, by the mercy of
■God, I have been permitted again to present
my body and soul a living sacrifice through
the precious blood of Jesus, and thereby join
myself to God in solemn covenant. I still
feel as much need as ever to come through
the blood of atonement, a poor, wretched,
miserable, blind, naked, polluted, guilty
wretch, unworthy of a look from Jesus. Yet,
blessed be his came! sinner as I am, I am
enabled by faith, a moment at a time, to look
up and call God, Abba, Father ! And I have
been led to make the most happy contrast
between now and forty-four years ago, when
for-the first time I joined myself in a mar¬
riage covenant with the Lord. I believe even
then I gave up myself sincerely and fully—
body, soul, and spirit. But, 0, how dark was
I, and ignoiunt! I knew nothing of what the
Lord had to do for me, or to make me, before
he could receive my soul as his bride—such
as to justify me by faith, and to sanctify me
by his Holy Spirit. I then had no knowledge
that I must come through great tribulation,
and my robes be washed and made white in
the blood of the Lamb—Rev. vii. 14 to end;
and i. 5; iii. 4; Ezek. xxxv. 25-29 ; 1 Cor.
vi. 11—that I must be filled with the fruits
of righteousness—Phil. i. 11; and with all the
fulness of God—Eph. iii. 17-19; i. 3, 4—
11*
126
father reeves.
and have the laws of God put in my mind
and written on my heart. Heb. viii. 10.
Now, all this, and much more, is contained, I
now perceive, in the new covenant; and Christ
is the mediator of the new and better covenant.
And now, 0 God, I am bold to call thee my
covenant Father!
" Wm. Reeves."
RECENT EXPERIENCE AND DEATH. 127
CHAPTER XIII.
THE HOLY DEAD—O, BLESSED WE ABE,
THAT WE. MAY CALL THEM SO i HEMANS.
RECENT EXPERIENCE AND DEATH.
We hasten to the close; two or three more
extracts from the diary of our beloved friend,
and we have dorie. In these pages the sub¬
ject of them speaks for himself—he is mai-nly
the painter of his own portrait. A few friendly
touches are added and a plain frame supplied;
yet all wh,o look on the picture will see that
it is real, lifelike, and, it is to be hoped, will
deem some of its features worth copying.
Under date September 6, 1852, the diary
presents the following: " To-night, being
in nwch pain of body, and thereby unable to
take rest till four o'clock in the morning, I
thought how much precious time my heavenly
Father hath given me, over and above many
of my dear brethren, to meditate on the ever¬
lasting and glorious rest my Jesus'hath gone
to prepare for me—even the chief of sinners*
128
FATHER REEVES.
me ! And if it is sweet to meditate in the day-
time, in a noisy, busy world, my heart and
soul can say it is much sweeter—sweeter than
the honey-comb—to meditate at silent mid¬
night, when all are fast asleep around me.
Not a voice to be heard but the voices of the
heavenly host speaking to the soul. They
were like the angels at the top of Jacob's lad¬
der, calling me ; and every step I rose, I
heard a heavenly voice crying to my soul,
( Come up higher.' So truly my soul has
been caught up into paradise. 0, may I ever
keep it there by faith and prayer!"
Sunday, September 12th, Father Reeves
received his last ticket of membership in the
Methodist society. " To-day we, as a class,
renewed our church fellowship—the Rev.
Luke Wiseman gave us our tickets. We had
between fifty and sixty in number present.
It was, indeed, a soul-reviving time ; there
were broken-hearted penitents crying aloud
for mercy; many others rejoicing in God's
pardoning love; and several, in a full Sal¬
vation, having their hearts washed in the
atoning blood of Jesus. And glory, glory
be to my heavenly Father that I must say,
I believe I have never felt before in my own
soul so full an assurance of the sanctifying
power of perfect love! I believe it was a
time never to be forgotten. To God be all
the glory, to whom it all belongs! 0, that
RECENT EXPERIENCE AND DEATH. 129
the Lord may ever keep me humble at the
foot of the cross! Amen and Amen ! Again
my soul replies, Amen ! At the conclusion,
our beloved minister sung,
'Press forward, press forward, the prize is in view;
A crown of bright glory is waiting for you.' "
" October 10, 1852—Sunday.—I have ex¬
perienced uncommon nearness to God all this
happy day. The Rev. Mr. Jobson preached
in the morning from the first verses of the
23d Psalm; ahd truly my soul was over¬
whelmed with a joy unspeakable, and with a
love to Jesus my Saviour, that words can
never express. I could say with all the powers
of my soul, as I pever could before, in all the
fulness of its meaning, ' The Lord is my
shepherd, I shall not want.' I only want more
of Jesus, so the experience of the first three
verses. i§ my own ; and I dare believe, like
David, ' When I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for
thou art with me.' I had a joyful meeting
with my class in the afternoon.
" October J2.—There was a need for my
going alone into Lambeth Ohapel this morn¬
ing. I went and kneeled down on the happy
spot, where the ever-blessed Lord, by his
Holy Spirit, gave me to see and feel my lost
condition almost forty-four yea^s ago. Before
I could get on my knees, my soul was in a
130
FATHER' REEVES.
moment filled with divine peace and heavenly
joy. Ten thousand thousands of mercies
rushed into my mind while I was pouring out
my thrice happy soul in rapturous praise to
the Triune God. Then iny soul was hum¬
bled to the dust, at the remembrance of the
misimproved grace and love the Lord had
bestowed on me. Forty-four years ago I Was
young; now I am old. 0 Lord, help me to
redeem the time ! It was a' Bethel indeed to
my soul."
October 14th, the death of an old disciple
is recorded : " One of my beloved class-mates,
who has met with me in church fellowship*
thirty-two years. She lHed the life of the
gospel, and died full of faith -and of the Holy
Ghost." •
The last entry in the diary is on the 25th
of October; it is a specimen of many inserted
at various times : "I have found mu'ch profit
and cause for humiliation, to-day, while visit¬
ing the sick and poor of Christ's little flock.
Mr. gave me some tickets to give to the
poor to get them bread to feed their bodies.
While I was going from house to house,
praising God for the unspeakable honour that
he had put on such a poor;, sinful worm, these
precious words of Jesus came to my mind,
and my soul was filled with joy and love : ' I
am the living bread which came down from
RECENT EXPERIENCE AND DEATH. 131
heaven; if any man eat of this bread he shall
live forever.' John vi. 51."
Next to bringing poor sinners to Christ,
the greatest enjoyment of our sainted friend
was found in his employment as almoner to
the poor of the household of faith-
A week rafter writing the last extract,
Father Reeves was numbered with the dead
on eafth, and the glorified in heaven. But
had he contemplated sudden death ? It would
appear probable from the following, which was
found on a loose piece of paper in his diary:
"For my natural birth-day-—December
15th—if spared. Praise the Lord, 0 my
soul! who has permitted a poor sinner to live
more than the allotted time for man to live
on earth. Therefore, I now consider I can¬
not have a right to any more time; I con¬
sider 1 now stand between time and eternity,
at the Lord's pleasure, to call me any moment
when he will."
On Wednesday, October 27th, he called
on one who had formerly met with him, and
who, having been appointed a leader, had
taken a part of the Sunday class. This friend
communicates the following: it bears evidence
that our departed friend was, living in con¬
stant preparation:
" He said, 4 As I Was walking along the
streets, I thought of my age, seventy-three
years—seventy-three ! Why, how is that ?
132
FATHER REEVES.
Threescore and ten is the promise, and I have
had three over this. Surely this was the Lord's
time that he gave me in which to glorify him;
it was not mine at all. I had threescore and
ten to prepare for eternity, and now three
years to glorify my heavenly Father. 0
brother, I see then, I ought to be living in
such a state of readiness that if I was called
this moment—' moment' was said with empha¬
sis—I ought to be prepared. . I feel my soul
filled with love when I contemplate the love
of God to me; my soul for some time has
been continually filled with love. Indeed, the
last two or three weeks have been the hap¬
piest of my life."
Thursday found our friend at the weekly
meeting of the visitors of the Strangers'
Friend Society, to receive cases for visitation;
then at the public service in Lambeth Chapel;
then at the leaders' meeting.
Friday found him at his class, uttering, in
his well-known tones, entreaty and encourage¬
ment, admonition and counsel.
Saturday found him at the prayer meeting
in the school-room, pleading again for him¬
self, his brethren, the church, and the world.
Sunday found him, as usual, the first in the
vestry, looking out the lessons^ marking the
collect, noting the psalms for the minister; it
found him the devout Worshipper in public
service; then meeting his beloved Sunday
RECENT EXPERIENCE AND DEATH. 133
class for the last time, in the afternoon ; and
in the evening he listened to a discourse
based on these words, " Man dieth and wasteth
away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and
where is he?" At a prayer meeting, held
after service, he was one of those who came
into the pulpit pew, ready to engage, if re¬
quired. Thus was spent his last Sabbath on
earth.
Monday, November 1, 1852, he visited
cases for the Strangers' Friend Society; he
saw also an apparently dying man, and leav¬
ing him, said, " Brother B , I shall not
be long after you." In the afternoon, he
took his tea as usual; then walked up and
down his room, singing the lines Mr. Wise¬
man had taught his class:
"Press forward, press forward, the prize is in view ;
A crown of bright glory is waiting-for you."
How near that prize—how close upon his
brows that crown, none . could imagine!
" Press forward," Father Beeves ! a few more
steps, thou good old man, and the prize is
within thy grasp! Reach out thy hand, and
take the crown, thou humble, holy, useful
servant; for soon thou shalt no longer serve
on earth, but reign in glory!
Not knowing his work was so nearly finished,
this faithful man left his home. A few
minutes only had elapsed, when a train,
rattling over the railway-arch, started a poor,
12
184
FATHER REEVES.
infuriated, over-driven bullock. The anipaal
struck the defenceless man. One stroke was
enough; in a moment he was unconscious;
and in an hour, all that was mortal of this
servant of God was dead.
To the spirit it was scarcely the passage of
death; it was like translation: " He was not,
for God took him." Just before he left his
home, Father Reeves had been singing of
glory; the strains were yet, in all probability,
lingering in his soul; then there was a
moment's pause of life \ and the next thing
of which the spirit was conscious was the
music of the skies.
funeral.
135
CHAPTER XIY.
WHOEVER LEADS SUCH A LIFE NEEDS BE THE LESS
ANXIOUS UPON HOW SHORT A WARNING IT IS TAKEN FROM
HTM. LORD CLARENDON OF LORD FALKLAND.
funeral.
The news spread far and wide, and formed
the principal topic of conversation in Lam¬
beth that evening. " Dead !" said a Lambeth-
walk shop-keeper, "who is dead?" "Mr.
Reeves." " What, the little old man with the
umbrella, that was always going about visiting
the-sick?" And thus faithfully was his
character sketched by one who was little
interested -in the religious motives which
actuated our friend, but who noticed and
admired his life of devotion.
Groups were here and there discussing the
event; at the chapel gates gathered leaders
and members, who could talk of nothing else.
The missionary prayer meeting was to be held
that evening. lather Reeves was invariably
present when able, and would have been there
136
FATHER REEVES.
then had he been spared. But what a meet¬
ing ! Singing was checked by sobs—prayer
mingled with tears. Yet it was our loss, the
church's loss, the loss to the neighbourhood
that was mourned; his departure was his
triumph.
The following Monday, November 8th, was
chosen for the funeral. Agreeably to Father
Reeves's wish, expressed in a paper dated in
1829, his body was removed from his house
to Lambeth Chapel, and "the corpse was
laid across the first pew behind the column
under the clock ; for that is just the blessed
spot where the Lord so deeply convinced me
of sin."
Agreeably to his wish, the third chapter of
the Revelation was read, and the reader
paused, " in silence, one minute," before
reading the twentieth verse.
It was a solemn thing. The corpse in our
midst, and fifteen hundred people obeying the
injunction of the spirit that once animated
that mortal body, and keeping perfect silence,
before those words were read, that were, by
God's grace, the means of his conversion.
By Father Reeves's direction, too, we sang
the first and second verses of 209th hymn.
An exhortation was given by the Rev. F. J.
Jobson, superintendent of the circuit; and
our late superintendent, the Rev. John Hall,
closed this service with prayer. The minis-
FUNERAL.
137
ters of the circuit preceded the body ; the im¬
mediate relatives of the deceased followed ;
stewards, trustees, leaders, local preachers,
officers of the Methodist Society of all rank's,
came after ; the Rev. Messrs. Hall and Pen¬
nington, who had formerly been in our
circuity mingled with the mourners; the
fifteen hundred from within the chapel were
met by nearly one thousand withput; and
from almost every window in the line of pro¬
cession were serious lookers on.
Lambeth old church and Lambeth burial-
ground have, probably, never had a larger
concourse at a funeral before; and never were
mourners more assured that the dead they
left behind was left in the grave "in sure and
certain hope of a resurrection into everlasting
life."
" Grave ! the guardian of his dust—
Grave! the treasury of the skies—
Every atom of thy trust
Rests in hope again to rise!
" Hark! the judgment-trumpet calls—
'Soul, rebuild thy house of clay:
Immortality thy walls,
And eternity thy day !' " Montgomery.
What could have brought such a gathering
together ? What made the very poor try to get
some scrap of mourning ? rWhat occasioned
the murmured blessings from the crowd, as
the corpse passed by? Could wealth have
12*
138
FATHER REEVES.
purchased these? It might have purchased
the semblance, hut not the reality. Could
rank or human honours, scientific eminence 0r
literary merit ? Scarcely could these, with
all their attractions, have produced half the
interest which surrounded the grave of a poor
old man. The reason ? This poor man he-
came religious; the religious man became
useful; and the useful man was honoured.
A life of plodding, persevering, consistent
usefulness, may offer little to attract the world,
hut God owns it; and when that life is re¬
called, men feel the world has less of goodness
in it than it had before.
The funeral sermon was preached by the
Rev. Luke H. Wiseman, on Sunday evening,
November 14th, from these words: "Blessed
are the the dead which die in the Lord from
henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they
may rest from their labours, and their works
do follow them."
The chapel was crowded in every part;
two thousand must have been inside. The
girls' school was filled by -parties who could
not get into the chapel; and there, an old
friend, the father of the local preachers on
the circuit, discoursed on a kindred theme.
But, after all, it appeared that hundreds went
away.
In 1833 our departed friend wrote the fol¬
lowing : " One thing I have to beg of my
FUNERAL.
189
dear and much-beloved friends at Lambeth
Chapel. If any thing should be said about
a poor worm, after I have gone to my own
place—mother earth—do not say 'I have
done this or that thing; or, ' I have been
this or that;' for the little I have attempted
to do for so many years I have done so badly
I am ashamed of it before my heavenly
Father; therefore, I pray, do not read any
thing of my doing or being, to waste precious
time, and weary the people. Not that I would
have any "thing hid that my ever-blessed
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ hath done.
No ! for what he hath done for me, 0, eternity
will be too short to utter all his praise ! If
you tell the people any thing, tell them how
good the Lord hath been to my soul, in call¬
ing me out of nature's darkness into his
marvellous light, in pardoning all my sins
and making me happy in his love, and in
keeping me so many years among his beloved
people. 0, tell this aloud ! Let all the
people praise him; yea, let all the people
praise him; and praise him again and again,
0, my soul!"
Again, we have another injunction at a
later date: " I pray you all, let there not
be one word said or written to extok the poor
work of a sinner saved by grace alone. To
God belongs all the praise!" And to the
ever-blessed God, who raised up this instru-
140
FATHER REEVES.
ment of extraordinary usefulness, and who,
by his grace and mercy, kept him faithful,
would all the friends of the deceased ascribe
the glory! Amen.
A paper, dated January, 1843, authorizes
this publication. It is addressed to ' Mr.
James Nash, Mr. John Corderoy, Mr.
Edward Corderoy, Mr. Gough, and Mr.
Hooker: My very dearest friends, and bro¬
thers in the lord, I should wish you, if you
do not think it too much trouble, to look over
these fragments of papers ; and if you think,
in your better judgment, any thing can be
gathered out and put together for the benefit
of the church and the world—or of a few
poor individuals—please do it, that the world
may see, while thousands of pounds are sent
to the east, west, north, and south, the Lord's
work is not forgotten at home, that a poor
shepherd-boy, with the vilest and worst, has
been brought to God, and that you can still
say, with pur great founder, ' The best of all
is, the Lord is with us' at Lambeth."
He entreats that the contents of his box
may be well sifted—that " the chaff may be
separated from the wheat."
It is under this authority, and by the wish
of his members, and of the Lambeth society
generally, that these pages appear. May
they be accompanied with the divine blessing,
for Jesus Christ's sake ! Amen.
141
POSTSCRIPT.
one word to methodist class-leaders.
Dear Brethren One of your number
has fallen—one of the most useful of your
highly honoured and useful classes—one whose
labours God graciously owned in a remark¬
able degree. May I be permitted to say, his
character, in some particulars, is inimitable ?
He was never—or once only—behind time
at class or public worship.
Never absent but through sickness or dis¬
tance.
He never let a Sunday pass without invit¬
ing one or more sinners to the Saviour.
He never went to class without earnest
preparation, n careful selection of hymns,
Scripture references, and, apparently, topics
for prayer.
He never permitted absence without know¬
ing the cause, or immediate visitation to
ascertain it.
He never omitted to collect the moneys in
his classes whenever they met; and he never
neglected paying the amount collected to the
stewards every week.
He never forgot the poor of his classes;
142
FATHER REEVES.
but brought bis list of the necessitous every
poor's night.
To him the loss of members was a source
of humiliation—a matter for self-abasement
in his classbs.
The prosperity of Zion was his chief joy.
He lived in the spirit of his covenant
engagements with God—being ready for any
service, and rejoicing in all, but never neglect¬
ing any work he had undertaken.
His Bible was his teacher—prayer his ele¬
ment—his duty his delight. ' (Consecrating
his time, his soul, his energies, unremittingly,
unreservedly, to God and his cause, no won¬
der he was blessed. Would it not be well if
all leaders were like him in these particulars ?
If all were like him in these things, should
we not have a holier, happier, and more use¬
ful Church?
Yours, faithfully,
THE WRITER ©F THESE PAGES.
143
NOTE BY THE AUTHOR.
While these pages have been passing through the
press, a friend has suggested that the title is not the
best—that it may by some be " considered to savour of
Popery." If others think so an explanation may be
needful. The fact is, that for years past we have been
in the habit, at Lambeth, of calling the subject of this
memoir, " Father Reeves; it came naturally to us, for
he was the contemporary of our fathers; he was a use¬
ful man when most of us were children; we honoured
his holy, consistent, valuable course, and when we talked
together about his biography, nothing seemed so appro?
priate as to call the book by the name with which we
have been in the habit of saluting the man.
THE END.
STEREOTYPED BY L. JOHNSON AND, CO.
PHILADELPHIA.