§s 
 
Mt#*"TV*X*r 
 
 4 THSOLOGICi 
 
 
 BR 1725 .C72 C7 1844 
 Cranfield, Richard. 
 Memoir of Thomas Cranfield, 
 of London 
 
MEMOIR 
 
 OF 
 
 THOMAS CRANFIELD, 
 
 OF LONDON. 
 
 BY HIS SON. 
 
 " TIT \ AT TlfnTJ " 
 
 ASSISTED BY REV. DR. HARRIS, AUTHOR OF " MAMMON, 
 "THE GREAT COMMISSION," ETC. 
 
 1VISED BY THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION. 
 
 iFfrst gmeucan HtJttfou. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY, 
 Depository, No. 13 Cornhill. 
 
 1844. 
 
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1844, 
 
 By CHRISTOPHER C. DEAN, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 TO THE AMERICAN EDITION. 
 
 The following pages are abridged 
 from the English edition of the life and 
 writings of Thomas Cranfield, by his 
 son, aided by the Rev. Dr. Harris, 
 author of Mammon, The Great Com- 
 mission, &x., and the Rev. James Sher- 
 man, successor to Rowland Hill, of 
 Surrey Chapel, under whose ministry 
 Mr. Cranfield sat many years. 
 
 His life was distinguished by great 
 vicissitudes, and after his conversion, it 
 was devoted, with little intermission, to 
 the temporal and spiritual good of all 
 over whom he could exert an influence, 
 and with a zeal and activity almost 
 unequalled. We know not whether to 
 admire him most as the indefatigable 
 Sabbath and infant school teacher, the 
 untiring domestic missionary, tract and 
 Bible distributor, the zealous friend of 
 the prisoners, the bold reprover of vice 
 
IV INTRODUCTION. 
 
 in every form, or the most liberal and 
 bounteous contributor to want and suf- 
 fering, of every kind ; praying always 
 that all might be made heirs of heaven. 
 For nearly fifty years, and before soci- 
 eties were formed, as they have been in 
 later days, he went about, like his divine 
 Master, doing good to every variety of 
 want and woe, cheerfully giving his time 
 and his property, — his all, — to instruct 
 the ignorant, and lead sinners to the 
 Saviour; causing hundreds to bless God 
 for his works of faith and labors of love. 
 Honored and beloved, this eminent 
 servant of the Lord Jesus brought forth 
 fruit, even in extreme old age, until he 
 had numbered more than four-score 
 years, when he calmly fell asleep, and 
 went, as all who knew him doubted not, 
 to receive the welcome plaudit of " Well 
 done, good and faithful servant, enter 
 thou into the joy of thy Lord." That 
 this exceedingly interesting memoir may 
 cause hundreds in our land to copy his 
 example, is the prayer of the Com- 
 mittee of the Sabbath School Society. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 TO THE ENGLISH EDITION. 
 
 The following Memoir was to have been 
 accompanied with a recommendatory preface 
 from the elegant pen of Dr. Harris, who 
 kindly assisted in revising the MS., and, from 
 his conviction that it was calculated to be 
 extensively useful, promised to introduce it 
 to the notice of the public. Indisposition 
 has, however, interfered with his design, and 
 his physician has recommended his abstinence 
 from whatever mental exertion he can avoid. 
 Under these circumstances, it has been 
 thought advisable to publish the work without 
 further delay, in the anticipation that, in a 
 short time, the Doctor's convalescence will 
 enable the author to present his judgment and 
 commendation of the Memoir. 
 
 It affords me great pleasure that the testi- 
 
VI INTRODUCTION. 
 
 mony of my dear friend, Dr. Harris, so entirely 
 accords with my own. I am permitted to 
 say, that he thinks the Memoir so instructive, 
 so interesting, and withal so well written, that 
 its general excellence is its own recommenda- 
 tion ; and that he is persuaded the book will 
 be extensively read by those who take an 
 interest in the progress of the Redeemer's 
 kingdom, and especially by those who are 
 engaged in the spiritual instruction of children. 
 The Life of Thomas Cranfield is a 
 standing memorial of the blessed effects which 
 result from the enlightened zeal and Christian 
 perseverance of one man, in the cause of the 
 dear Redeemer. May it encourage such as 
 labor for their Master amidst much infirmity 
 and opposition, " to have respect unto the 
 recompense of reward ; " — to cause those 
 in the Christian church, who have greater 
 opportunities and talents for usefulness, to 
 blush that they are so little employed for the 
 salvation of souls ; and stir up every individ- 
 ual who reads it, to imitate him who now 
 "rests from his labors, and whose works do 
 follow him." J. Sherman. 
 
 Surrey Chapel, 29th November, 1839. 
 
' UTHOR'S PKEFACE. 
 
 The following pages have been compiled at the 
 earnest solicitation of a numerous body of friends, 
 who have long indulged the desire of viewing, more 
 minutely, the life and character of the man whose 
 living excellencies they have often felt and acknowl- 
 edged ; and while the writer feels no desire to elude 
 the scourge of fair criticism, by clothing himself with 
 apologies, yet he considers that some are due to the 
 public fur inviting its attention to a production 
 emanating from so unskilful a pen. 
 
 It was his own wish that the papers of his venerated 
 parent should have been placed in the hands of his 
 esteemed pastor, the Rev. James Sherman, the 
 successor of the late Rev. Rowland Hill, of Surrey 
 Chapel, London, whose ability and experience would 
 
Vlll PREFACE. 
 
 have enabled him to delineate the peculiar incidents 
 in the life of the deceased, and the unusual share 
 which he acquired in the affections of the poor, in a 
 manner far more powerful and attractive than he was 
 capable of portraying them. His wishes, however, 
 Avere overruled by the Rev. Mr. S., who, with a 
 kindness which will never cease to be gratefully 
 remembered, instructed him in the proper arrange- 
 ment of the work, and at the sacrifice of much valu- 
 able time, revised it when completed, and placed it 
 in a condition to meet the public eye. In addition to 
 this, the author received the valuable assistance of 
 the Rev. Dr. Harris, author of Mammon, who, 
 notwithstanding the multiplicity of his engagements, 
 most kindly consented to examine the manuscript, 
 and to write a preface for the work, which latter 
 service he was unable to perform in consequence of 
 ill health. To both of these esteemed ministers, 
 therefore, the author feels himself under a deep 
 obligation, as to them this volume is indebted for 
 much of its interest and value. 
 
 Considerable difficulty has been experienced in 
 fixing the precise dates of some of the transactions 
 here recorded ; and though great care has been 
 taken to insert them in their proper order, yet it has 
 been discovered, when too late for correction, that 
 
PREFACE. IX 
 
 the anecdote relating to the Rev. John Berridge, in 
 chapter IV, occurred some time previous to the 
 period assigned to it. 
 
 The writer feels deeply grateful to those numerous 
 individuals who have so kindly aided him in publishing 
 this work, by forwarding their names as subscribers. 
 
 He also acknowledges, with gratitude, the kind 
 assistance which he has received from several friends 
 who have furnished him with much information, and 
 forwarded to him many letters of the deceased. 
 These have materially lightened his labors, as his 
 father, previous to his death, committed a number of 
 valuable papers to the flames, because, as he ex- 
 pressed it, they smelt of self. The limits of this 
 work, however, forbid the insertion of more than a 
 very few of his letters, and such only have been 
 selected as tend to illustrate some peculiar feature in 
 his character. 
 
 With much fear and trembling, the work is now 
 commended to the blessing of God, and to the favor 
 of the public, with the hope, that while it will serve 
 to illustrate, in some measure, the nature of true 
 religion, and the mysterious but all-wise course of 
 Divine Providence, it may stimulate others to greater 
 zeal in the service of Christ, and enkindle in them 
 stronger desires for the extension of his kingdom. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 From the Birth of Mr. Cranfield to his Marriage,- - - 1 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 From his Marriage to his Removal to Kingsland, - - - 24 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 From his Removal to Kingsland to his quitting the 
 
 London Corresponding Society, -------46 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 From his quitting the London Corresponding Society 
 
 to the Opening of the Mint Sabbath School, - - - 68 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 From the Opening of the Mint School to the Death of 
 Mr. Nixon, 101 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 From the Death of Mr. Nixon to the Death of Mr. 
 Cranfield's youngest Son, 126 
 
C ONTE NTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 From the Death of his youngest Son to the Preaching 
 
 of Rev. Rowland Hill in the Mint, 155 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 From the Preaching of Mr. Hill in the Mint to the 
 
 Death of Mr. Cranfield's last Wife, 178 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 Last Years, Death and Funeral of Mr. Cranfield, - - - 197 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 The Person and Character of Mr. Cranfield, - - - - 235 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 The Character of Mr. Cranfield as a Sabbath School 
 Teacher and Visiter of the Afflicted, 262 
 
MEMOIR 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 FROM THE BIRTH OF THOMAS CRANFIELD TO HIS 
 MARRIAGE. 
 
 The subject of this Memoir was born on the 
 12th of March, 17.58, in the parish of South- 
 wark, in the city of London, and was baptized 
 at St. Saviour's Church. He was the only 
 son of Thomas Cranfield, a journeyman labor-- 
 er, but afterwards a fellowship-porter; a man 
 totally unlettered, and ignorant of the great 
 truths of Christianity, although outwardly 
 moral in his conduct. His mother was able 
 to read pretty fluently, and this was then con- 
 sidered no ordinary acquisition for a woman 
 in her sphere of life. 
 
 His father had but two children — a son and 
 a daughter; and being sensible of the disad- 
 vantages under which he had labored, from 
 1 
 
M E M O I R OF 
 
 the want of proper education, he was resolved 
 that his offspring should receive the benefit of 
 early instruction. Accordingly, at seven years 
 of age, Thomas was sent to the parochial 
 school of St Mary Overie, Southwark, and 
 continued there until he was fourteen. He 
 was, however, averse to instruction, and impa- 
 tient of control; and being naturally of a fiery 
 temper, he would not submit to the discipline and 
 restraint of a well-regulated school, but played 
 the truant for two or three successive weeks. 
 
 For these offences he was severely punished 
 by his master and his father, but without effect. 
 As he grew older, his aversion to books be- 
 came still more manifest; he was generally 
 the last in his class, while in fights and con- 
 tentions he was always foremost. Many were 
 the pugilistic encounters which took place 
 among his schoolfellows through his influence; 
 and often has he induced them to sally out in 
 a body for the purpose of attacking the schol- 
 ars of some neio-hborino- school. These dan- 
 gerous contentions were sometimes carried on 
 toamost alarming extent, particularly one head- 
 ed by him on London Bridge, in which he and 
 several of his companions were severely wound- 
 ed, and some were carried home almost lifeless. 
 
 At this time, he was addicted to the most 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 6 
 
 vicious practices. In a letter written to a 
 friend, shortly before his decease, he states, 
 "I can say with Mr. Whiterleld, that I was fro- 
 ward from my earliest days. I was so brutish 
 as to hate instruction, and shun all opportuni- 
 ties of receiving it. I can date very early 
 acts of lying, filthy talking, profanity, Sabbath- 
 breaking, purloining money from my mother's 
 pocket before she was up; and once I stole 
 the brass hooks from the gallery of a church 
 in Monkwell street, where my grandfather was 
 the pew-opener. Indeed, it would be impossi- 
 ble to mention all the sins and offences of my 
 younger days, for which my heart would fail 
 me in this recital, did I not believe that I have 
 truly repented of them, and were I not assured 
 that Jesus ever liveth to make intercession for 
 me." He was likewise very cruel in his dis- 
 position, especially towards the brute creation. 
 To torment horses, dogs, sheep, pigs and cats, 
 would afford him the greatest merriment and 
 delight. 
 
 St. Jude speaks of persons being "preserved 
 in Christ Jesus and called." Such was evi- 
 dently the case with this youth, who experi- 
 enced some most remarkable instances of 
 providential deliverance. Once he fell into a 
 deep muddy ditch, from which he was extricat- 
 
4 MEMOIR OF 
 
 ed with much difficulty, and apparently lifeless. 
 At another time, when crossing the river 
 Thames in a boat, he fell overboard, but was 
 picked up by a fisherman, who was providen- 
 tially pursuing his occupation when the acci- 
 dent happened. 
 
 None of these things, however, suitably 
 affected him; he grew more hardened in sin, 
 and imbibed a still stronger hatred to every 
 thing like instruction. The consequence was, 
 that when removed from school, he was 
 scarcely able to read the New Testament, and 
 could write but indifferently. 
 
 On attaining his fourteenth year, his father 
 apprenticed him to Mr. Poole, a respectable 
 tailor in the city, who took great interest in 
 his youthful charge, and labored to the utmost 
 of his power, to promote his moral and spiritual 
 improvement. He took him twice every Sab- 
 bath to public worship at Haberdasher's Hall, 
 where he heard the Rev. Dr. Gibbon; but the 
 service to him was so extremely wearisome 
 that he often endeavored, though in vain, to 
 prevail on his master to excuse his attendance. 
 
 Mr. Poole, knowing the depraved inclina- 
 tions of his apprentice, would not lose sight of 
 him on the Sabbath, and thus, like Doeg the 
 Edomite, he was ''detained before the Lord." 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. O 
 
 Fifteen months passed away in this manner, 
 during which time he had made considerable 
 progress, not only in his business, but also in 
 reading and writing; but being weary of re- 
 straint, he meditated his escape, and an occur- 
 rence soon furnished him with an opportunity 
 of carrying his design into execution. His 
 master had a favorite bird, and Thomas was 
 ordered to clean out his cage; and leaving 
 the door of the prison open, the bird, being as 
 great a lover of liberty as his attendant, 
 quickly made his escape. For this negligence 
 the youth was threatened with punishment; 
 and being resolved to abscond from his situa- 
 tion, he thought this a fitting opportunity. 
 Therefore immediately packing up his clothes 
 and other articles, he left his place, and trav- 
 elled out of the city towards St. Albans, where 
 he arrived the same evening, and found a lodg- 
 ing, for which he paid two pence. He rose 
 early the following morning, and set forward 
 with great haste for Northampton, a distance 
 of forty-five miles, which he reached the same 
 evening. The following morning found him 
 on his way to Coventry, and here his stock of 
 money being exhausted, he sold his new suit 
 of clothes for half a guinea. At this city he 
 rested one day, and then pushed forward to 
 
6 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Birmingham, where he hoped to obtain em- 
 ployment. 
 
 Mr. Poole, upon hearing that his apprentice 
 had absconded, immediately acquainted his 
 parents, who sent in all directions to ascertain 
 the place of his concealment, not doubting that 
 he was somewhere about the town. But after 
 fruitlessly searching for him many days, they 
 gave up all hopes of ever seeing him again, 
 believing that he was drowned. 
 
 Upon his arrival at Birmingham, not know- 
 ing any person to whom he could apply for 
 employment or assistance, he proceeded to 
 the market-place, and endeavored to excite a 
 feeling of interest in the minds of the butchers 
 and others, by representing himself as an or- 
 phan. In the day time he would stand in the 
 market-place for hire, and at night would 
 crawl beneath the stalls to rest. Unable to 
 obtain employment, and reduced to great ne- 
 cessity, he followed the coal carts, assisting to 
 carry the coal into the purchasers' houses, 
 and picking up various articles in the streets 
 for sale. He now began to repent of his rash 
 and disobedient conduct, and being reduced 
 almost literally to the food that the swine ate, 
 like the Prodigal he turned his thoughts to his 
 father's house, where there was "bread enough 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. I 
 
 and to spare;" but a sense of shame, a want of 
 true repentance, and of money for his journey, 
 prevented him from returning home. 
 
 All his endeavors failing to procure proper 
 subsistence, and being pressed hard by hunger, 
 he was reduced, as his last resource, to sell 
 his Bible, of which he was extremely choice, 
 it having been presented to him by his mother. 
 At length, however, he obtained employment 
 at a tailor's, for whom he agreed to work 
 merely for his food. But here he was half- 
 starved; his employer being a drunken charac- 
 ter, had but little money for any thing but liquor, 
 and poor Thomas often retired to rest without 
 having tasted any food since the morning. 
 
 To add to his misery, his brutish employer 
 had a favorite dog, with which he was obliged 
 to share his meals. This dog's name was 
 Bob; and his master often stood over Thomas 
 while the scanty provision was divided, and 
 then compelled him to toss up a penny with 
 Bob, to determine by lot which should have 
 the best share of the food. 
 
 Finding it impossible to exist in his situation 
 he at length found another tailor, who con- 
 sented to take him, if he would bind himself to 
 stay with him seven years. Here he had to 
 contend with great hardships. His employer 
 
8 MEMOIR OF 
 
 was extremely severe and unmerciful, fre- 
 quently compelling him to work from four 
 o'clock in the morning, until eleven or twelve 
 at night, for many days together, while he was 
 badly clothed and fed. Upon the slightest 
 offence, and sometimes for no offence at all, 
 he was horsewhipped in the most severe and 
 degrading manner, although he now strove to 
 the utmost of his power to serve and please his 
 hard-hearted master. Notwithstanding the 
 cruel treatment he here experienced, he con- 
 tinued in this situation for more than three 
 years, when having made considerable pro- 
 gress in his business, he was resolved to leave 
 his tyrannical employer, and endeavor to gain a 
 subsistence by what was called "whipping the 
 cat;" a term given by tailors to the practice 
 of jobbing at the houses of private individuals. 
 Watching his opportunity, therefore, he se- 
 cretly left Birmingham and proceeded to 
 Brido-enorth. Here he continued but a short 
 time; for finding it extremely difficult to obtain 
 employment, he resolved to return to London, 
 and to submit himself to his old master, during 
 the proper term of his apprenticeship. With 
 this determination he left B. in August, 1777, 
 and was on his road to Worcester, when he 
 met with a recruiting party belonging to the 
 
THOMAS CRANF1ELD. V 
 
 39th regiment of foot, and was by them in- 
 duced to enlist into his Majesty's service, upon 
 the understanding that he should not be sent 
 against the Americans, whom he regarded as 
 his fellow-countrymen, and their resistance 
 against the oppressive acts of the British gov- 
 ernment as lawful and right. 
 
 War was at this time waging in America 
 with extreme violence, and great exertions 
 were making by the British government to re- 
 duce the revolted provinces to obedience. All 
 Europe appeared to be in a state of agitation, 
 and it was feared the courts of France and 
 Spain would soon take part in the contest, and 
 declare on the side of the Americans. It was, 
 therefore of the highest importance that the 
 strong fortress of Gibraltar, a place so impor- 
 tant to the commercial interests of Great Brit- 
 ain, should be strengthened and put in a proper 
 state of defence. With this view the 39th reg- 
 iment was ordered to hold itself in readiness for 
 marching, on the first summons, to join the gar- 
 rison there. These apprehensions were but too 
 well founded, for very soon afterwards the 
 French Government issued a hostile declaration 
 against Great Britain, which was followed by 
 one from the court of Spain. 
 
 As soon as Cranfield had joined the regi- 
 
10 MEMOIR OF 
 
 ment, he was marched forward to Wolver- 
 hampton, and there ascertaining that he was 
 shortly to leave England and embark for Gib- 
 raltar, he began to reflect seriously upon his 
 situation. He thought of home, his parents, 
 his sister, his old master and mistress, all of 
 whom were endeared to him by the recollec- 
 tion of their constant though fruitless endeav- 
 ors to promote his happiness and improvement. 
 The ingratitude he had shown, and the rebel- 
 lious and undutiful conduct he had manifested 
 towards those who had been solicitous only for 
 his welfare, stung him with bitter anguish; all 
 that filial affection for which he was afterwards 
 remarkable, now seemed to manifest itself, and 
 he was resolved to write to his parents, ex- 
 pressing his contrition for his disobedience, 
 and begging their forgiveness, and informing 
 them of his present situation. He reflected 
 that he was now about to leave his native 
 country, and in all probability should never 
 more return to it; and the thought of never 
 again seeing those whom he loved, and whom 
 he had so deeply injured, distressed him ex- 
 ceedingly, and induced him to make every 
 inquiry as to the probability of his going to 
 London previous to embarking for a foreign 
 shore. It was therefore with the greatest 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 11 
 
 delight that he received the information of his 
 general being then in town, and the probabil- 
 ity there was, that his regiment would soon be 
 ordered to join him there. He accordingly 
 wrote to his father to the foregoing effect, and 
 shortly after received a kind and affectionate 
 reply, dictated by him. 
 
 It was just previous to this incident, that the 
 Sovereign Disposer of all events, without 
 whom not a sparrow falleth to the ground, had 
 brought about an event of the utmost impor- 
 tance, in its nature and consequences, to the 
 family of Cranfield. The father of Thomas, 
 strolling one Sabbath day along the streets of 
 London, came near the Church of St. Anns, 
 Blackfriars, just as several of the congrega- 
 tion were entering. Prompted by curiosity, 
 he went in with the crowd, and heard the 
 Rev. William Romaine. The word under the 
 guidance of the Holy Spirit, was brought with 
 power home to his mind; so that he became 
 convinced of sin, and of the necessity of salva- 
 tion through the atoning blood of the % Saviour 
 of men. He now felt the value of the Bible; 
 viewing it as a mine in which were hid rich 
 and inexhaustible treasures, he felt an uncon- 
 querable desire to explore it for himself; he 
 therefore sat down, at the age of forty-two, to 
 
12 MEMOIR OF 
 
 learn his letters, and in a short space of time, 
 was enabled, by the assistance of his wife, to 
 read with considerable fluency any part of the 
 inspired volume. Being now instructed by the 
 wisest of all teachers, he became qualified to 
 give his son the very best advice; and upon 
 the receipt of his letter, he sent an answer, 
 expressing the distress which his rash conduct 
 had brought upon his parents, who for so 
 many years had received no tidings of him; 
 assuring him, nevertheless, of their continued 
 regard and affection for one they had long con- 
 sidered as dead, but who they hoped would be 
 henceforth steady in his conduct, read diligent- 
 ly his Bible, and by no means neglect prayer. 
 This letter removed a great burthen from 
 the mind of their long absent, wayward son, 
 who was deeply conscious that he merited no 
 such tenderness, and he took an early oppor- 
 tunity to give the following reply. 
 
 " Wolverhampton, Sept. 26th, 1777. 
 "Honored Father, — I received your kind 
 letter: am glad to hear that you are all well. 
 I return you my thanks for your good advice; 
 and I hope to make it my constant study, on 
 all occasions, to obey your commands in every 
 thing. I hope that you and my dear mother 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 13 
 
 will make yourselves as contented as you pos- 
 sibly can about me. I expect to be in London 
 very soon, as we intend to set out from here 
 in three days. I shall make it my business to 
 see you all as soon as I arrive. I doubt not 
 you were greatly surprised to receive my letter, 
 after hearing nothing from me for so many years. 
 Please to give my love to my sister. 
 
 I remain, honored father, your undutiful son, 
 Thomas Cranfield." 
 
 The pleasing anticipations of seeing his pa- 
 rents before he left England were not realized, 
 as the regiment was ordered to take a different 
 and shorter route to Portsmouth, where, on 
 his arrival, he was embarked on board the 
 ship Mary, where he wrote another letter to 
 his parents, assuring them of his disappoint- 
 ment in not being indulged with an opportunity 
 of seeing them, and of his continued love and 
 affection; designating himself again as their 
 undutiful son. 
 
 From Gibraltar he wrote them on the 30th 
 of November, saying, "I am in want of nothing 
 at present, and meet with very good friends, 
 who give me good advice." 
 
 Here he made rapid progress in becoming 
 an expert soldier, though he found it to be 
 2 
 
14 MEMOIR OF 
 
 galling work. As he could now read and 
 write tolerably well, he was esteemed in the 
 regiment a good scholar, and he became a 
 favorite with his commanding officer, being 
 courageous, industrious, neat in person, and 
 attentive to orders. So soon, therefore, as he 
 became master of his exercise, his regular du- 
 ties as a private were discontinued, and he 
 was employed in making clothes for the regi- 
 ment, which added much to his income. 
 
 In a letter to his parents, dated the 25th of 
 March, 1778, he says: — 
 
 "I return you the most unfeigned thanks 
 for the fatherly advice you have given me from 
 time to time; be assured I shall lay it up in 
 my heart, as the most valuable treasure that 
 has ever been committed to my charge: and 
 by the assistance of my Redeemer, I shall do 
 my duty to him. and to every person that is 
 put in authority over me. I work now at the 
 regiment's clothing, and do well at present. 
 I shall pray God to give me grace to go 
 through all the hardships that are before me. 
 
 "Your ever loving and dutiful son until death, 
 Thomas Cranfield." 
 
 It must not, however, be supposed, from 
 hts using such language, that he was a con- 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 15 
 
 verted person. His heart was as yet un- 
 touched by divine grace, and he was still liv- 
 ing without God, and without any realizing 
 sense of the awful wickedness of his own heart. 
 He found his father's letters urging upon him 
 the importance of attention to the concerns of 
 his soul, and he introduced such expressions, 
 occasionally in reply, as he afterwards re- 
 marked, merely to please his parents, and to 
 induce them to entertain a more favorable 
 opinion of him. 
 
 From this period nothing of particular impor- 
 tance occurred until the summer of 1779, when 
 the Spaniards, having issued a hostile manifesto 
 against Great Britain, laid siege to Gibraltar, 
 its reduction being one of the principal objects 
 of the court of Spain in becoming a party to 
 the war. This was well known to the gallant 
 commander of the fortress, General Elliot, who 
 rightly judged that no exertion would be want- 
 ing, nor expense spared, to accomplish this 
 favorite object. Accordingly, every precau- 
 tion was taken and every means employed that 
 prudence could suggest, or ingenuity devise, 
 to make a vigorous defence. 
 
 The town and fortress of Gibraltar stand 
 upon a rocky eminence in Andalusia, the most 
 southern province in Spain. The rock is con- 
 nected with the continent by an isthmus of low 
 
16 MEMOIR OF 
 
 sand, and almost wholly surrounded by the 
 waters of the Mediterranean, forms a promon- 
 tory three miles in length from north to south. 
 Cn this isthmus the Spaniards encamped in 
 the month of June, to the number of 20,000 
 men, while the garrison was defended by less 
 than 6000. Thus all communication was cut 
 off from the continent, while Spanish armed 
 vessels and gun boats sailed in all directions, 
 to prevent any supplies being furnished on the 
 sea side. At the sight of the enemy, Cran- 
 field's spirit was much excited, and burning 
 with desire to be actively employed against the 
 Spaniards, he requested his commander to 
 allow him to take his share in the duties and 
 dangers of the camp, from which, by his em- 
 ployment, he was exempt. 
 
 October 6, 1779, he thus wrote to his father: 
 
 ' 'Every thing now wears the face of war. 
 Upwards of 20,000 soldiers are now in the 
 camp before us, whom we hourly expect to 
 open their batteries upon us. On Sunday 
 morning, 12th Sept., about seven o'clock, 
 we gave them upwards of six thousand 32 
 pound-shots in less than half an hour, which 
 made them quickly run into their lines. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD 
 
 17 
 
 Every now and then we fire on them, which they 
 have hitherto refused to return. We expect, 
 however, they will soon storm us; though unless 
 they starve us out, it is impossible they can 
 take the garrison. There is no fresh meat in 
 the place, and provisions are very dear. The 
 other day a boat succeeded in getting in with 
 some sheep, which sold for four shillings and 
 ninepence a pound, and there was almost 
 fighting for it among the inhabitants." 
 
 It was not until the 12th of April, 1781 , that 
 the Spaniards opened their fire upon the town 
 and fortress, when they poured in such a pro- 
 digious discharge of shot and shells from their 
 forts, lines, and advanced works, as created 
 amonij the inhabitants the greatest consterna- 
 tion and alarm. So terrible was the sight, that 
 the oldest veteran in the regiment declared that 
 he had never witnessed any thing equal to it 
 The feelings of the young soldier will be best 
 described in the following extract of a letter, 
 written more than twenty years after the 
 event. 
 
 "I shall never forget the day the Spaniards 
 commenced their attack upon Gibraltar. 
 
18 MEMOIR OF 
 
 It was in the afternoon, and I was on duty. 
 Never having heard the whistling of a can- 
 non-shot before, I was filled with horror 
 beyond expression. My old sins, and the 
 roaring of the artillery, produced strange com- 
 motion in my soul, and it seemed as if I was 
 about being summoned before my final Judge, 
 to be turned into hell. My regiment lay in 
 barracks in the town. I dreaded to go near 
 them, but duty called, and I was compelled to 
 obey. I sat up that night to watch the shells. 
 The town was soon in flames, and the inhabit- 
 ants left their property to seek shelter in the 
 caves of the rocks. The soldiers, finding the 
 place deserted, commenced a general search 
 for plunder. I, however, got used to this 
 state of things, and in a short time cared noth- 
 ing whatever for either shot or shells." 
 
 Cranfield was kind and obliging; conse- 
 quently much beloved by his comrades; his 
 willingness also to lend or read to them in his 
 mother's Bible, which he had again procured 
 before he left England, and which, as he un- 
 derstood, was the only one in the regiment, 
 gained for him much of their esteem and re- 
 gard. His general good conduct was likewise 
 noticed by his colonel, who, in consequence, 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 19 
 
 raised him to the rank of corporal, and entrust- 
 ed him with several important commissions, 
 which he executed with credit to himself, and 
 to the approbation of the officers. 
 
 The care which he had for the lives of the 
 men placed under his command was praise- 
 worthy. Though reckless of danger himself, 
 he never would consent to expose the lives of 
 others unnecessarily. Many have been saved 
 through his instrumentality, not only from the 
 shots of the enemy, but also from the rigor of 
 military law. 
 
 It may reasonably be supposed that in a 
 siege carried on with so much vigor, and so 
 protracted, the dangers to which this gallant 
 soldier was exposed were many and great. 
 On one occasion, when appointed to guard a 
 magazine, which the enemy were desirous of 
 destroying, the firing was so hot that curiosity 
 prompted him to reckon the number of shells 
 that fell near him; and in one hour he counted 
 no less than eighty, besides cannon balls. 
 
 His escape under such circumstances can 
 only be accounted for by the special protection 
 of that Being who was preparing him for other 
 duty under the Captain of his salvation. At 
 times, after having been on duty for several 
 hours together without receiving any injury, 
 
20 MEMOIR OF 
 
 another, upon taking his place, has been in- 
 stantly killed. Frequently, also, when over- 
 come with fatigue, he has lain all night upon 
 the wet ground without injury. 
 
 Such was the scarcity of provisions that fre- 
 quently driven by hunger he has been com- 
 pelled to eat, not only the flesh of dogs and 
 cats, but also of rats, which at times afforded 
 a welcome repast. Bread at this time was 
 selling in the town at a guinea a quartern loaf, 
 and even at this price it could with difficulty be 
 procured. A small leg of mutton at one time 
 was sold for £3. 12 — a goose for ,£3; cheese and 
 butter were five shillings, and tea two guineas a 
 pound. The entrails of a pig or ox were eager- 
 ly purchased at four shillings and six pence per 
 pound. Vegetables were equally scarce and 
 dear. For weeks the garrison were obliged 
 to subsist on four ounces of rice a day for each 
 man, and their valiant General Elliot was the 
 first to confine himself to this allowance, a fact 
 stated in the history of that almost unparalleled 
 siege. 
 
 In the year 1782, the Spanish monarch, hav- 
 ing accomplished the reduction of Minorca, 
 turned his whole attention to the siege of Gib- 
 raltar. Duke de Crillon, the conqueror of 
 Minorca, was appointed captain-general of the 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 21 
 
 French and Spanish armies, which now 
 amounted to forty thousand men, and these, 
 together with forty-seven sail of the line, 
 besides floating batteries, frigates, and other 
 vessels of war, were employed for this great 
 enterprise. An attack was made on the 13th 
 Sept., 1782, which ended in blowing up the 
 battering ships, and great destruction to the 
 allied forces. Corporal Cranfield most gal- 
 lantly maintained his post; he toiled incessantly 
 all that morning, and about two o'clock saw 
 the battering ship, which he had been so long 
 assisting to destroy, was on fire. His joy at 
 this success was unbounded. He danced like 
 a maniac, and shouted, victory! victory! so 
 long and so loud that at length his voice failed 
 him, and it was some days before he recov- 
 ered it. In this dreadful encounter he escaped 
 unhurt, with the exception of a slight wound in 
 the leg by a splinter from the rock. The 
 Lord, who is rich in mercy, thus preserved 
 the life of this intrepid soldier, for the perform- 
 ance of acts of benevolence and mercy, and 
 that he might afterwards become a good sol- 
 dier of Christ Jesus. 
 
 How awful are the effects of war! It calls 
 into exercise the worst passions of human na- 
 ture, and leads a man to triumph over the 
 
2*2 MEMOIR OF 
 
 sufferings of his fellow- man, and to rejoice at 
 his defeat an 1 destruction. But truly horrific 
 is the thought of thousands and tens of thou- 
 sands of the human family being thus launched 
 into the eternal world without a moment's 
 time for serious reflection, or an opportunity of 
 preparing to meet their God. The mind sick- 
 ens at the contemplation, and turns from it 
 with disgust and abhorrence. Of the number 
 that fell on that memorable day, how few can 
 we suppose were ready to depart and be with 
 Christ. Mr. Cranfield in after life often de- 
 clared that in his regiment he knew not one 
 pious man; nor can we suppose the defeated 
 allies were much better instructed in the 
 things of God. 
 
 Though all hopes of taking Gibraltar by 
 open force were now abandoned, the Spaniards 
 still kept up a vigorous blockade by sea and 
 land. On the 11th of October the garrison 
 was greatly relieved by the arrival of a large 
 cargo of provisions from England, which Lord 
 Howe, by a masterly manoeuvre, succeeded 
 in landing in face of a superior fleet. 
 
 In 1783, Corporal Cranfield, through his 
 good behaviour, was appointed master-tailor 
 to the regiment, which employment was the 
 means of supplying him with an income supe- 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 23 
 
 rior to that of many of the commissioned offi- 
 cers. He now applied himself industriously 
 to business, and succeeded in amassing a con- 
 siderable amount of property ; but one evening, 
 while absent, a shell broke through their quar- 
 ters and destroyed the building, together with 
 all that he possessed. This was a severe loss, 
 especially as he expected soon to return to 
 England, without the opportunity of repairing 
 it; but it was, nevertheless, wisely overruled 
 by divine Providence for his ultimate good. 
 
 In September, 1783, the preliminaries of 
 peace having been signed, the siege was 
 raised, and on the 20th of the same month he 
 was married to a most amiable person, who 
 had only just entered her sixteenth year. So 
 great was the estimation in which the parties 
 were held, that Lieut. Gen. Boyd was present 
 at the marriage ceremony, and gave away the 
 bride; and now finding himself in possession 
 of the object of his affections, and the war 
 having terminated, he looked forward to a state 
 of uninterrupted happiness and prosperity. 
 
24 MEMOIR OF 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 FROM HIS MARRIAGE TO HIS REMOVAL TO KL\GSLAND. 
 
 The period at length arrived when Mr. 
 Cranfield was to leave Gibraltar, where, since 
 the year 1777, he had been for the greater part 
 of the period of six years, actively engaged in 
 his Majesty's service, in which he had been 
 exposed to such hardships, fatigues, and dan- 
 gers, as none but those possessed of the strong- 
 est constitution could have endured. At one 
 time, the scurvy had made such inroads upon 
 his constitution, not having tasted fresh pro- 
 visions for nearly two years and a half, that 
 his life was in imminent danger; but a diligent 
 and persevering use of lemon-juice, of which 
 he could obtain frequent supplies, proved, by 
 the blessing of God, the means of counteract- 
 ing the baneful effects of the disorder. On the 
 morning of the 30th of October, 1783, he, 
 with his regiment, embarked in a man-of-war 
 for England, where, however, he did not arrive 
 till the December following. On his applica- 
 tion for his discharge, the colonel of the rejn- 
 ment expressed his unwillingness to part with 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 25 
 
 such a brave soldier, and offered him the sum 
 of five guineas, and further promotion if he 
 would remain in the army; but as he had writ- 
 ten to his father, and his mind was entirely- 
 made up on the subject, the offer was respect- 
 fully declined, and he was honorably dis- 
 charged, to the universal regret of both officers 
 and men. Every thing being now in readi- 
 ness, he waited only the arrival of his wife, to 
 take his departure for London. Day, however, 
 passed after day, without any tidings being 
 heard of her or of the transport in which she 
 had embarked. His anxiety of mind became 
 almost insupportable, and if he could have ob- 
 tained a vessel, he would have gone in search 
 of her; but this was impossible. His feelings 
 were somewhat relieved by the receipt of a 
 letter from his father, assuring him of his con- 
 tinued affection and regard. 
 
 At length the long and anxiously-looked-for 
 vessel arrived, and after seven days of the 
 most fearful suspense 3 he again embraced the be- 
 loved object in whom all his thoughts had been 
 so long centered. He now thought himself the 
 happiest of men. With a light heart he took 
 leave of his old comrades, and accompanied 
 by his wife, proceeded to London, arriving at 
 his father's house in Queenhithe on the even- 
 3 
 
26 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 ing of the 24th of December, after an absence 
 of nearly eleven years. The meeting of the 
 father with his only son was similar to that 
 described in the parable of the Prodigal, he 
 exclaiming, "This my son was dead and is 
 alive again, he was lost and is found." He 
 viewed him as sent back to him by the hand of 
 God alone, and entirely in answer , to prayer. 
 It is worthy of notice, that just previous to the 
 bombardment of Gibraltar, a prayer meeting 
 was held by some poor aged people, friends of 
 the parents, on behalf of their absent son, 
 when it was most earnestly implored that the 
 Lord would be pleased to spare his life, and 
 restore him again to his family and his friends. 
 After the meeting an aged woman present de- 
 clared her belief that their petition was heard, 
 and would be answered, as this passage of 
 Scripture was impressed most powerfully on 
 her mind: "Yet doth he devise means that his 
 banished be not expelled." Mr. C. often 
 afterwards mentioned this circumstance, as an 
 encouragement to parents similarly situated, 
 to continue in prayer for their ungodly chil- 
 dren. 
 
 After the detail of his principal adventures 
 and escapes, the Bible was placed on the 
 table, and, to his great surprise, his father 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 27 
 
 commenced reading a chapter. When this 
 was finished, he was still more astonished to 
 hear his lather say, "Now, my hoy, let us go 
 to prayer." All knelt down, and he hegan with 
 great fluency and fervor to express his grati- 
 tude to God who had answered his prayers in 
 bringing back his only son in health and safety. 
 Mr. C. wal amazed to hear his father proceed 
 with such freedom of speech, and prompted by 
 curiosity, he arose from his knees, and looked 
 across the table to ascertain if his father was 
 not using a book. But when he saw him with 
 his eyes closed, and no book before him, he 
 was lost in wonder and astonishment, and as 
 he afterwards expressed it, could scarcely be- 
 lieve his own eyes. It will be remembered 
 that his father could not read a word when his 
 son ran away, was an irreligious man, and 
 never had set up a family altar, but lived as 
 too many do at this day, without God in the 
 world. Now how changed the scene. Salva- 
 tion had come to that house; the morning and 
 evening vows were paid; and the father pours 
 out his heart in grateful thanksgivings and 
 supplications, that the son, over whom his 
 heart more tenderly yearned than ever before, 
 might become a child of God, an heir of glory. 
 At six o'clock the following morning, being 
 
28 MEMOIROF 
 
 Christmas day, Mr. C. was prevailed on by 
 his father to accompany him to hear the Rev. 
 R.Cecil. His text was Psalm 46: 9. "He 
 maketh wars to cease." The subject of the 
 discourse, and the powerful appeals of the min- 
 ister, strongly riveted his attention, and he 
 appeared much pleased with the whole of the 
 discourse. His father, therefore*^ had little 
 difficulty to persuade him to accompany him 
 to Blackfriars church to hear Rev. W. Ro- 
 maine. On the following day he went to visit 
 some of his old companions, and returning 
 home late in the evening, intoxicated, he found 
 his pious father at family prayer. Being be- 
 reft of his proper senses, he became very dis- 
 orderly, and with his hand swept every thing 
 from the mantel-shelf. His father said little to 
 him that night; but the following day, when 
 sense and reason were awakened, he gave 
 him a solemn reprimand for his improper con- 
 duct; explained to him the awful consequences 
 of the sin of intemperance, the impossibility of 
 his remaining under the paternal roof, where 
 he had been so kindly welcomed, if he persist- 
 ed in such evil practices. This affectionate 
 and solemn reproof appeared to produce the 
 desired effect, and on the following Sabbath 
 he requested permission to accompany his 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 29 
 
 father to church. The Rev. Mr. Romaine 
 was preaching a series of lectures on the 
 building of Solomon's Temple, and showed 
 wherein it typified Christ. These lectures in- 
 terested him much, as many remarks were 
 made which furnished him with thoughts which 
 he intended to embody in an intended lecture 
 on free-masonry; but the Lord had better 
 work for him to do, and was now about to pre- 
 pare him for it. In one of these discourses, 
 the esteemed minister dwelt more than usual 
 on the depravity of the human heart, and its 
 opposition to the sovereignty and dominion of 
 God, and showed that this division between 
 God and the creature would not admit of any 
 union without a change of nature. By this 
 truth, accompanied by the solemn appeal to 
 every sinner to give up his sins, his mind be- 
 came, in some degree, convinced of the awful 
 state of its alienation from God, and the neces- 
 sity of regeneration. And although his first 
 impressions were comparatively slight, and 
 this change in his views and feelings, like the 
 dawning of the morning, was scarcely percep- 
 tible, yet in the course of a few days it became 
 evident thai a principle of grace had been im- 
 parted, and that he, who commanded light to 
 shine out of darkness had shined into his heart. 
 3* 
 
30 MEMOIROF 
 
 His pious father, who was on the watch for the 
 first tokens of true penitence in his son, now 
 observed with much satisfaction a decided 
 change in his conduct, and took every oppor- 
 tunity of encouraging him in his inquiries, and 
 of directing him to the Lamb of God that tak- 
 eth away the sin of the world. 
 
 He continued to attend the ministry of the 
 Rev. Mr. R., and by slow degrees he was 
 directed into the knowledge and love of God, 
 till at length he abandoned for ever his free- 
 masonry pursuits, and became a free man in 
 Christ Jesus. 
 
 Convinced of the value of his own soul, he 
 now began to feel an ardent desire for the 
 salvation of others. The spiritual welfare of 
 his relatives was the first object that occupied 
 his mind, and he prayed the Lord that he 
 would make him instrumental in their conver- 
 sion. He commenced the work with his wife; 
 and upon declaring to her what the Lord had 
 done for his soul, and expressing his anxiety 
 that she should become partaker of the like 
 precious faith, he was both surprised and de- 
 lighted to find that the Spirit of God had been 
 secretly working upon her soul, and that 
 through the pious example of her father-in-law 
 she had become solicitous about the one thing 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 31 
 
 needful. Mrs. C, previous to her arrival in 
 England, was a perfect stranger to family de- 
 votion; she was, therefore, as much astonished 
 as her husband to hear her father-in-law ex- 
 pound the Scriptures and engage in prayer. 
 Being, however, a woman of discernment, she 
 was not long in discovering how much his con- 
 duct was influenced and his happiness promoted 
 by his religion; and how superior were the 
 order and devotion observed in the family of 
 her husband's relatives, to the scenes of mirth 
 and irregularity she had witnessed in her own. 
 She reflected that if such holiness of life was 
 required for a participation in the joys of 
 heaven, she was unfit for that blissful state, 
 and consequently, unprepared to die. The 
 thought much distressed her mind, and she 
 began to inquire what she must do to be saved. 
 The exhortations of her husband, therefore, 
 were listened to with the greatest interest and 
 profit, and she soon afterwards gave evident 
 proofs by her holy life and conversation, that 
 she had become a partaker with him of the 
 grace of life. 
 
 His attention was next directed to his wife's 
 relatives, who were then in Ireland with their 
 regiment. He wrote several letters to them 
 expressing his deep interest in their spiritual 
 
32 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 welfare, informing them of the Lord's gracious 
 dealings towards him, and earnestly exhorting 
 them to renounce the vanities of the world and 
 embrace the truth as it is in Jesus. But here 
 he had little success; his words appeared to 
 them like idle tales, and they believed them 
 not. His old companions in arms shared 
 much of his anxious solicitude. He had be- 
 come so zealous for the Lord that he thought 
 if he could only join the 39th regiment again, 
 he should be enabled, by the blessing of God 
 upon his exertions, to convert the whole of the 
 men. So far did his zeal carry him, that he 
 actually wrote to his father-in-law, who was a 
 corporal in the regiment, to know if he would 
 use his influence to get him appointed to his 
 former station in the regiment; but as it was 
 afterwards understood that it would shortly be 
 ordered to embark for Gaudaloupe, the design 
 was abandoned. 
 
 After remaining in his father's house a few 
 months, he thought it advisable to remove. 
 He therefore took apartments in Goswell street, 
 St. Luke's, where he continued to follow the 
 business of a tailor; and becoming acquainted 
 with some young persons, who, like himself, 
 had lately been called to the knowledge of the 
 truth, he instituted a daily prayer-meeting at 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 33 
 
 his own residence, and thereby his spiritual 
 strength was continually renewed and invigo- 
 rated. 
 
 He had not been long in his new abode be- 
 fore he began to experience severe trials. 
 The winter was setting in; employ tnent was 
 scarce ; his little stock of money was expended, 
 and he became extremely straitened in his cir- 
 cumstances. His difficulties, however, did 
 not impede his usefulness; for about this time 
 the Lord was pleased to bless his endeavors in 
 the conversion of two lodgers in the house 
 where he resided. One of them deserves a 
 particular notice. She was a woman of very 
 bad character, and a great persecutor of the 
 children of God. He often spoke to her upon 
 the sinfulness of the human heart, and the 
 necessity of regeneration; but she evinced 
 such an opposition to serious conversation, 
 that it was extremely difficult to prevail on her 
 for one moment to listen to a word of exhorta- 
 tion. While they were singing hymns at the 
 prayer-meeting, she would frequently endeav- 
 or to interrupt them by singing immoral songs. 
 One day she appeared more friendly than ordi- 
 nary towards Mr. C, and invited him and his 
 wife to take tea with her. He consented, 
 though with some reluctance, it being Sabbath 
 
34 MEMOIR OF 
 
 day. While at tea he introduced the subject 
 of religion, and spoke of the sovereignty of 
 God in calling sinners by his grace from a 
 state of nature to a state of holiness. The 
 words called by his grace, entered into her 
 very soul. She became thoughtful, but at 
 that time said little. At night she retired to 
 rest, but could not sleep; conviction darted 
 into her mind, and she became extremely rest- 
 less and uneasy, and at length cried out, "I 
 am lost! I am not called!" She started from 
 her bed, and in the utmost agony of soul cried 
 aloud, "O, what shall I do to be saved!" Mr. 
 C. and his wife, hearing her bitter cries, arose 
 and went to her to comfort her; but she re- 
 fused all consolation, crying for the forgiveness 
 of her sins. She remained in this condition 
 four days, and on Thursday evening Mr. C. 
 took her with him to hear the Rev. Mr. Clark 
 in Redcross street, Cripplegate. His text was 
 from Ezek. 37: 12. "Behold, O my people, 
 I will open your graves, and cause you to 
 come up out of your graves, and bring you 
 into the land of Israel." Under this sermon 
 light broke in upon her soul, and she hence- 
 forth became a meek and humble follower 
 of the Saviour. She soon afterwards, with 
 Mr. and Mrs. C, joined the church in Bar- 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 35 
 
 bican, under the pastoral care of the Rev. 
 John Towers. 
 
 Shortly after this, Mr. Cranfield was hon- 
 ored in being made instrumental in the conver- 
 sion of a poor woman residing at Dowgate 
 Hill. This person was far advanced in years, 
 and, although not an open blasphemer, she 
 had lived in the constant neglect of the means 
 
 of grace. Being now laid on a bed of afflic- 
 ts » 
 
 tion, Mr C. visited her, at the request of a 
 friend, and found her totally ignorant of her 
 spiritual danger, and the way of salvation by 
 Christ. He explained to her the awful bond- 
 age under which she was held, and pointed 
 her to the Saviour, who, by the Holy Spirit, 
 could bring her into the liberty of the gospel. 
 She at first evinced much opposition, but he 
 was unwearied in his efforts to instruct her 
 and bring her to Jesus. He wept, and prayed, 
 and exhorted by turns, and the Lord in due 
 time gave testimony to the word of his grace, 
 by sealing it upon her heart, and enabling her 
 to see the infinite value of the Saviour, and to 
 commit her eternal interests into his hands. 
 She frequently repeated the words, "I am 
 carnal, sold under sin; but thanks be to God 
 who giveth me the victory through Jesus Christ 
 my Lord." Just before her death, she ex- 
 
36 MEMOIR OF 
 
 pressed great thankfulness for the daily visits 
 of Mr. C, and exhorted him to persevere in 
 his endeavors to win sinners to Christ. This 
 was indeed a brand plucked out of the burning. 
 The Lord met with her at the eleventh hour, 
 and so communicated his love to her soul, that 
 she died triumphing in him, and saying, "None 
 but Christ, none but Christ." 
 
 Upon joining the church in Barbican, he 
 was introduced to a number of young friends, 
 who feared the Lord greatly. He attended 
 their prayer-meetings, and found those seasons 
 to be indeed times of refreshing from the pres- 
 ence of the Lord. His soul was now fired 
 with zeal for the glory of God, and he became 
 impatient to be more actively employed in his 
 service. When passing Moorfields, and re- 
 flecting on this subject, he remembered that 
 when he was a boy he stood upon that spot, 
 listening to the overpowering eloquence of the 
 Rev. George Whitefield, as he boldly preached 
 Jesus and the resurrection; and this passage 
 of Scripture came into his mind, "Go thou 
 and do likewise." He was conscious that he 
 did not possess ability for such an undertaking, 
 and yet it was highly important that the stand- 
 ard of the cross should be erected in the high- 
 ways and hedges. Who, thought he, can I 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 37 
 
 get to be the standard-bearer? This difficulty 
 was soon solved, for he very soon after met 
 with Mr. George Taylor, an old playfellow, 
 who had become pious, and whom the Lord 
 had endowed with a talent for preaching. 
 The subject was proposed for his considera- 
 tion, and it was finally agreed that Mr. 
 Taylor should take his stand under the wall of 
 the vinegar-yard, City road, while Mr. Cran- 
 field should officiate as clerk. 
 
 On the following Sabbath afternoon, Mr. C. 
 carried his chair to the place agreed upon, 
 and his friend boldly preached the glad tidings 
 of salvation to the assembled multitude. Here 
 they endured much insult. Field-preaching 
 was not then protected by the civil authorities, 
 as it is now; consequently the multitude were 
 unawed by the fear of punishment, and vented 
 their spleen or indulged their humor as they 
 listed. Sometimes there was laughing, scoff- 
 ing, and disturbance by throwing mud, but 
 they were not thus to be beaten off the field; 
 their zeal was only stimulated by such opposi- 
 tion, and they went more resolutely forward to 
 the help of the Lord against the mighty. These 
 services were continued for about twelve 
 months, Mr. Cranfield sometimes conducting 
 the services in the absence of his friend. His 
 4 
 
38 MEMOIR OF 
 
 heart was now lifted up in the ways of God, 
 but this did not very long continue, when he 
 was greatly distressed, and even left to doubt 
 of his own eternal election. He could obtain 
 no comfortable evidence that he had any faith 
 in Christ, or that he was moving one step in 
 the narrow way, while he was pointing out the 
 way to others. In this desponding condition, 
 he one day strolled to the Tabernacle, just as 
 the song of praise concluded, and heard a 
 discourse from the Rev. Mr. Medley, from 
 Mat. 7: 7. " Search and ye shall find." The 
 word came home with power to his soul. It 
 appeared so suitable to his state, that he felt it 
 to be evidently a message of God to him; he 
 was enabled to seek and to find the Saviour to 
 the joy and the rejoicing of his heart. "The 
 Lord brought him up out of the horrible pit 
 and the miry clay, and set his feet upon a rock, 
 and established his goings." The remembrance 
 of this goodness was ever afterwards cherished 
 by him, and to the last years of his life, he 
 never ceased to speak of it with lively gratitude. 
 This incident afforded him much instruction, 
 as he was enabled thereby to see more clearly 
 his own weakness, and the excellency and 
 power of the gospel, the necessity of prayer 
 that he might be kept humble. He was also 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 39 
 
 led to discern the depth of Satan's devices, 
 and the deceitfulness and depravity of his own 
 heart, and thus to become better qualified to 
 edify and comfort those who should be called 
 to pass through similar scenes of trial. 
 
 In August, 1786, his family was increased 
 by the birth of a second child, a daughter, and 
 his business being brisker, his circumstances 
 were considerably improved, but he was again 
 plunged in difficulties, by a fire which broke 
 out in the premises where he resided, which 
 occasioned him a considerable loss. 
 
 This new trial only served to draw him 
 nearer to God, and he was enabled to say, 
 from happy experience, "The Lord is my 
 portion, I shall not want," 
 
 The year 1787 ushered in fresh afflictions. 
 His first born, a son, then between two and 
 three years old, a child of great promise, 
 whom he most tenderly loved, took the small 
 pox, and after a short illness, died. His feel- 
 ings upon this occasion are recorded in the 
 following extract of a letter, addressed some 
 years afterwards, to a female friend, suffering 
 under a similar bereavement. 
 
 "From the great concern I have for you, 
 in your present troubles, I write, not that I 
 
40 M E M I R O F 
 
 think it in my power to give you better advice 
 than those who are about you; no, fur I feel 
 my inability, and much more my unworthiness 
 to address you; but having trodden the same 
 road before, I can tell you my experience, and 
 the comfort I have received from the Lord, 
 and perhaps he may bless it to you, 
 
 "About eight years since, as I was walking 
 from Islington to the city, I fell into a train of 
 meditation upon God, and the things of eternity, 
 when I became tilled with such an exalted 
 view of his character, that it was impossible 
 for me to express. Finding God so near, I 
 was very bold and spoke to him of things to 
 come. After giving up myself, wife and chil- 
 dren to him, the thought started in my mind, 
 suppose God should make your son an object 
 of his displeasure, can you give him up? I 
 inwardly answered, yes, most heartily, so that 
 God's name might be glorified thereby, and it 
 were for the good of his people. In this frame 
 of mind I continued for more than an hour. 
 Soon afterwards, God tried me; my son fell 
 sick, and it pleased the Lord to take him from 
 me. I was tormented with the apprehension 
 that my child would be lost. My heart rebelled. 
 Upon entering the room where the corpse 
 lay, and uncovering it immediately, I had 
 
THOMAS CRAN FIELD. 41 
 
 such a view of his soul's being in glory, 
 that I sprang from the bed to the window and 
 cried out, Lord Jesus, take me, also. I 
 cannot describe the glorious sight I was then 
 permitted to behold. I saw, by faith, my 
 child conducted by angels through assembled 
 multitudes, and placed before the throne. I 
 stood for sometime before the window, lost in 
 love and admiration. O, that Jesus would 
 give you such a sight. Thus the Lord was 
 pleased to comfort his servant under this trial, 
 and thus, also, has he been able to comfort 
 others ' by the comfort wherewith he himself 
 was comforted of God.' " 
 
 The year 1789 was one of peculiar suffering, 
 owing to the almost total stagnation of business. 
 His children frequently cried for bread, when 
 he had none to give them. The distress of 
 mind, under such circumstances, can only be 
 conceived by those who have endured similar 
 trials; but he was enabled to wrestle hard with 
 God, in prayer, and he found him faithful to 
 his word of promise, — " Call upon me in the 
 day of trouble, and I will deliver thee." 
 Sometimes, when his own mind was filled with 
 doubts and fears, his affectionate wife would 
 inspire him with fresh confidence, by bidding 
 4* 
 
42 MEMOIR OF 
 
 him to remember the goodness of the Lord to 
 them in former days, and would repeat to him 
 those sweet lines of the poet: — 
 
 "His love in times past, forbids me to think 
 He'll leave me at last in trouble to sink} 
 Each sweet Ebenezer I have in review, 
 Confirms his good pleasure to help me quite through." 
 
 In April, 1789, he was called to witness the 
 death of his little daughter, of near three years 
 of age. Although so very young, she appeared 
 to have given her heart to God, and her death 
 bed was instructive to all who saw her. By 
 her engaging manners and sweet disposition, 
 she had so entwined herself around the heart 
 of her father, that she seemed quite indispen- 
 sable to his happiness. The caution of a 
 celebrated preacher now seemed necessary; 
 "Beware of idols in white frocks." 
 
 The death of this child inflicted a deep 
 wound in the heart of the father, so that for 
 some days he could not attend to business; he 
 afterwards was enabled to see the wisdom of 
 divine Providence, and to bow submissively to 
 his heavenly Father's will. 
 
 As Mr. and Mrs. Cranfield were industrious 
 and prudent, they could make a little go further 
 than many others, so that few knew from their 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 43 
 
 appearance how narrow their circumstances 
 frequently were; their father being much 
 afflicted, could render them but little aid; but 
 whenever that little was afforded, it was 
 received with a grateful heart. 
 
 About this time, passing through Kingsland, 
 Mr. C. was struck with the ignorance and 
 wickedness which abounded in that neighbor- 
 hood, and consulted with some Christian 
 friends upon the best mode of introducing the 
 gospel there. After much consideration, it 
 was agreed that a prayer meeting should be 
 held among the brick-makers. Mr. C. accord- 
 ingly, applied to the foreman, who readily 
 opened his house for the purpose. This 
 meeting was held every morning, at five 
 o'clock, and once a week, in the evening, and 
 Mr. C. was rarely absent on those occasions. 
 
 Towards the close of this year, being 
 unable, notwithstanding every exertion, to pay 
 a note which he owed, he was arrested and 
 placed in the debtor's prison, in Giltspur street. 
 This was to him as great a trial as any which 
 he had previously passed through, as it cast 
 a shade over his character, but his heart did 
 not reproach him, and he trusted in God, 
 leaning upon his promise, "I will be with 
 thee." But for the two following days, he 
 
44 MEMOIR OF 
 
 was dejected, and the distress of mind was 
 brought to a climax, on hearing that his land- 
 lord had put an execution into his house for 
 rent. He cried unto the Lord, and found 
 comfort to his troubled mind by the precious 
 assurance, "Nevertheless, I am continually 
 with thee." He remained in prison about four 
 days, when, through the assistance of a friend, 
 the money was paid and Mr. C. obtained a 
 discharge. Soon after his return home, finding 
 it impossible to meet the just demands of his 
 landlord, the few articles of furniture which he 
 possessed were taken, and having resolved to 
 leave the house where he had suffered so many 
 trials, he went forth, like Abraham, not 
 knowing whither he went. 
 
 Though cast down, he was not in despair. 
 His faith and hope in God still abounded, and 
 the Lord, who was now leading him by a way 
 which he knew not, was present to help him. 
 As he was passing along the streets with his 
 wife and child, he remembered that it was the 
 evening for prayer, at Kingsland, and thither 
 he bent his steps. His friends, who had heard 
 of his trouble 5 received him with great joy, 
 and most fervently invoked the blessing of 
 God on him and his family. After the meeting 
 was over, one of the company invited him 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 45 
 
 J 
 
 home, and told him he was at liberty to take 
 up his residence with him until he could rind 
 another situation. This offer he gladly 
 accepted, and remained with him that night, 
 but the next day he took lodgings on Kingsland 
 Green, although he had no furniture, save 
 what he could borrow of his friends. 
 
 Such were the trying scenes through which 
 this afflicted man was called to pass, and which 
 compelled him to repair for a shelter to Kings- 
 land. But affliction cometh not forth of the 
 dust; there was one above, who was secretly 
 directing the storm, and rendering it subservi- 
 ent to the performance of his designs of mercy; 
 and his purpose being accomplished, of placing 
 his servant in this neighborhood, where he 
 intended to make him instrumental in spreading 
 the light of the gospel, the storm soon after 
 gradually began to subside, the clouds to 
 disperse, and the horizon to brighten, indicating 
 the approach of a calmer and happier day. 
 
46 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 FROM lUS REMOVAL TO KINGSLAND, TO HIS QUITTING 
 THE LONDON CORRESPONDING SOCIETY. 
 
 On the first day of taking up his abode in 
 his new place of residence, Mr. Cranfield spent 
 much time in prayer, that the Lord would 
 again appear in his behalf, and bless his 
 endeavors to gain a subsistence for himself 
 and family. On the following morning, he 
 received an order from a gentleman, for a suit 
 of clothes. This order, however, he could not 
 immediately execute, as he did not possess a 
 single shilling wherewith to purchase the cloth. 
 He waited, therefore, upon the gentleman and 
 informed him of his circumstances, who ad- 
 vanced him two guineas to purchase the 
 materials, when he and his wife commenced 
 their work with extraordinary diligence. He 
 did not retire to rest until they were completed, 
 which occupied him two whole nights and 
 three days. Fresh orders now came in; his 
 business gradually increased; and at the end 
 of a few weeks he was again in a prosperous 
 state; still his mind was kept in constant 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 47 
 
 anxiety in consequence of some former debts, 
 which, from losses and disappointments, 
 he had been unable to discharge. A k\v^ 
 extracts from his diary, which he commenced 
 on new year's day, will show his feelings and 
 experience, whilst struggling against these 
 pecuniary difficulties. 
 
 "Jan. Is/, 1790.— 'Trust in the Lord at all 
 times.' Ps. 42: 8. This lesson I would learn 
 at all times, and in all situations. Lord, make 
 me a good scholar this year, I beseech thee. 
 I begin the year in circumstances of great 
 perplexity and trial, having eleven pounds to 
 pay on the 4th inst., without one shilling 
 towards it. But I trust in my God, who is my 
 strength and my helper. Lord, help me to 
 put all my confidence in thee. I have com- 
 mitted myself into the hands of my heavenly 
 Father this day, in his house, feeling and 
 believing that he has accepted me for Jesus' 
 sake. 
 
 "2nd. — 'Commit thy way unto the Lord; 
 trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.' 
 Ps. 37: 5. This day I have been much tried 
 with disappointments and crosses, but am kept 
 from sinking. His arms are underneath me, 
 supporting and comforting me under this trial. 
 
48 MEMOIR OF 
 
 — No eleven pounds yet. — Lord, keep me 
 patient. 
 
 "3d, — 'Cast thy burden upon the Lord, 
 and he shall sustain thee." Ps. 4: 22. I 
 have been enabled, in some measure, to do so. 
 I regret that I have been disquieted, and have 
 not kept this Sabbath as I could have wished ; 
 but the Lord has been pleased to afford me a 
 little of the light of his countenance. Blessed 
 be his name for ever. No money as yet. — The 
 time is up to-morrow morning, and I doubt not 
 but my God will appear for me. In this 
 confidence I lay my body down to sleep. 
 
 " 4th. — 'The Lord is my light and my sal- 
 vation, whom shall I fear. 5 Ps. 27: 1. This 
 morning the Lord has made bare his arm, and 
 sent me the eleven pounds, which I have stood 
 in such need of. Glory be to his name for ever. 
 The Lord alone delivered me. All hearts are 
 in his hand, and he hath the whole disposal of 
 them; consequently, his children have no 
 reason to fear. s^'In God will I make my boast 
 all the day iong.' " 
 
 The writer of this memoir is not aware in 
 what way this seasonable supply was obtained, 
 nor was he at all conscious that this interesting 
 record of the goodness of God was in existence, 
 until after the death of its author. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 49 
 
 " 5/ft,. — c And what is the exceeding greatness 
 of his power to usward who believe, according 
 to the working of his mighty power." Ep. 1: 
 19. Nothing short of the power of God can 
 make me believe; and something of this power 
 I have experienced this day, as evidently as 
 the children of Israel did, when the Red Sea 
 was dried up before them. I stood in need of 
 a guinea, and the Lord in a surprising manner 
 sent it to me at the time I most wanted it. 
 Blessed be his name, he has never left me yet." 
 
 The guinea to which he here alludes, he 
 used often afterwards to speak of to his family, 
 with great animation and lively feelings of 
 gratitude. It was put into the hand of one of 
 his children, by an elderly lady, who visited 
 him that day, and who was proverbial for her 
 extreme parsimony. Though possessed of 
 wealth, she denied herself the common neces- 
 saries, and was never known to perform so 
 benevolent an act before. Under such cir- 
 cumstances, Mr, C. might well observe the 
 hand of God in affording this most seasonable 
 relief. 
 
 " c 2uth. — 'As thou hast believed, so be it 
 done unto thee.' Mat. 8: 13. This day I 
 5 
 
50 MEMOIR OF 
 
 have set to my seal that God is true. I have 
 a note to pay this day, for which I had not 
 sufficient money, and the Lord has sent me 
 five guineas to pay it with. Blessed be his 
 name, I never trusted in him and was con- 
 founded. He is a friend in the worst of times, 
 and we may put confidence in him, and be 
 assured he will not leave us. I find my soul 
 overcome in admiration of the love of God. 
 Blessed be his name that I ever knew him." 
 
 This seasonable and repeated relief left a 
 deep impression on his mind, and he often 
 afterwards spoke of it in the family circle, to 
 excite in his children a dependence on God 
 for a supply of all their necessities. 
 
 Upon reviewing the distressing situation out 
 of which he had been brought, he writes in his 
 journal: 
 
 "Feb. 19th. — I have labored for several 
 weeks past, under a great deal of affliction, 
 both in body and mind. My soul has been 
 nearly overwhelmed with sorrows, but God 
 was with me and was my strength and my stay. 
 I never had my faith more tried. An evidence 
 of personal piety in such a time is worth more 
 than gold. I have this day given myself up 
 
THOMAS CRAN FIELD. 51 
 
 into my Father's hands, and surrendered my 
 body, soul, tongue and pen, all I have, and all 
 I am, to his service; I freely devote myself to 
 him, living and dying. Amen." 
 
 Notwithstanding the difficulties that beset 
 him, Mr. Cranfield was every morning 
 employed at prayer meetings with the brick- 
 makers, and in the midst of frost and snow, he 
 was accustomed to go round and wake up his 
 friends, that the place might be full. Soon 
 the apartment which they occupied was too 
 small for their accommodation. Being unwil- 
 ling that any should be shut out, he hired a 
 larger one, called the Factory, and although 
 embarrassed in his circumstances, he became 
 responsible for the rent. He then engaged 
 his friend, Mr. George Taylor, to attend and 
 preach, while he officiated as clerk. The 
 little band soon increased, and notwithstanding 
 the obloquy and ridicule they encountered from 
 the inhabitants, who gave them the name of 
 "Devil-dodgers," they were joined by several 
 gentlemen of influence and respectability. 
 Other meetings were attended at various hous- 
 es, and the Lord added to their numbers daily. 
 
 In his visits from house to house, having 
 witnessed much severe distress among the sick 
 
52 MEMOIR OF 
 
 poor, he drew up a plan for the formation of a 
 benevolent society, for the purpose of more 
 regularly visiting and relieving the necessitous 
 at their own houses, he himself acting as 
 secretary. In the first year of the society, 
 the sum of nearly t £30 was distributed among 
 distressed individuals, in weekly sums of from 
 one to three shillings. 
 
 Towards the middle of this year, Mr. Cran- 
 field's circumstances assumed a favorable 
 aspect, and he was enabled to disengage 
 himself from the difficulties with which he was 
 surrounded. No memorandum, however, is 
 given of his experience till September 28th, 
 when he thus writes: — 
 
 "To my shame, I have not written of God's 
 dealings towards me since February last. In 
 this great interval, I have had to ascribe glory 
 to God, for he has been my help and stay. I 
 have paid most of the money which in February 
 I owed; and in a little time, by Divine assist- 
 ance, I shall pay all. I have had much of the 
 presence of my God during this interval, 
 and have been supported and comforted by a 
 glorious promise which he has given me, 'The 
 Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, 
 and he shall be blessed on the earth, and thou 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 53 
 
 wilt not deliver him to the will of his enemies.' 
 I can truly say he has fulfilled that promise to 
 rne. He still blesses me, and keeps me alive 
 in my soul. I therefore will trust in him, 
 and not fear, though the earth be removed, 
 and the mountains be carried into the midst of 
 the sea, for the God of Jacob is my refuge. 
 I have set out afresh this day, with a determi- 
 nation to give no occasion of offence, either to 
 my soul or to man, and in the strength of God 
 to live to his glory." 
 
 Whilst residing at Kingsland, Mr. C. used 
 frequently to attend the Tabernacle, and 
 Blackfriars' church; and under the ministry 
 of the word at those places, he greatly increased 
 in knowledge and spirituality. At times, the 
 gospel came with such power to his soul, that 
 he could scarcely refrain from giving utterance 
 to his feelings in the midst of the congregation. 
 It was, no doubt, after experiencing some 
 such time of refreshing, that he wrote the 
 following: — 
 
 <( Oct. 5th. — I have this night been at the 
 Tabernacle, and am refreshed. I see more 
 and more the awful nature of sin; that it is 
 infinite. I see that I am polluted all over, — 
 that there is no soundness in me. I see that I 
 5* 
 
54 MEMOIR OF 
 
 come infinitely short of God's word. I feel 
 that I am a wretch undone. I think I never 
 breathed after holiness more than I do at this 
 time. I want to be made like Christ, in every 
 sense of the word, — in heart, in lip and in life. 
 I feel, by experience, that through frequent 
 secret prayer, sin is mortified, and my mind is 
 made more holy and heavenly. This, also, 
 gives me a distaste for every thing that is sinful. 
 Lord, keep me in this frame. I lay me down 
 this night with a firm desire to be holy, as God 
 is holy. May Jesus sanctify me. Amen." 
 
 The following week he thus writes: — 
 
 "Oct. 12th. — The Lord has given me this 
 day some delightful discoveries of himself, as 
 my Saviour and friend. O, the glories which 
 I see in Christ! glories that far excel every 
 description. He has enabled me, also, to see 
 much of myself. I hate my sins with perfect 
 hatred. The Lord has led me, this day, much 
 into the knowledge of his word. O, what a 
 precious treasure it is. I really esteem it 
 more than my daily food. O, that I could live 
 more to his praise. Lord, make me any thing, 
 so that I may live to thy glory. If it is thy 
 will, make me so poor as to be obliged to lie 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 55 
 
 upon straw, and to clothe myself with rags, 
 and have nothing but a hard crust for my food, 
 and a little water, if it be but the means of 
 bringing me nearer to thyself, and of preventing 
 me from becoming a scandal to thy holy cause. 
 Give me a love for precious souls, and a heart 
 to visit and relieve the poor. Lord, grant me 
 this, for Christ's sake. Amen." 
 
 At this time his Bible was his constant 
 companion, — he always had it with him on the 
 shop-board while at work, and would read a 
 small portion, and then meditate upon it while 
 he pursued his occupation. This exercise was 
 so delightful to him, that he has frequently 
 declared that it was a grief for him to leave it 
 only for a few minutes for the purpose of taking 
 his meals. No wonder, then, that he dived so 
 deeply into the mysteries of the gospel, and 
 had such debasing views of himself. On the 
 14th of October, he thus writes: — 
 
 " 'The secret of the Lord is with them that 
 fear him, and he will show them his covenant.' 
 Blessed be my covenant God, he is always 
 found of them that seek him; I can say so by 
 experience; he communes from off his mercy- 
 seat with such sinners as I am. This morning, 
 
56 MEMOIR OF 
 
 when I was at the throne of grace, he led me 
 much into myself. It is impossible for heart 
 to conceive what creatures we are by nature, 
 — what a depth of iniquity lodges within our 
 breast. What reason have we to fear our- 
 selves; Solomon spake truth when he said, 
 'He that trusts his own heart, is a fool.' I 
 see that nothing but destruction lodges within 
 me; I am entirely an enemy to myself, and 
 am not capable of doing any good thing. O, 
 what reason, then, have 1 to give myself up 
 to God, to be guided by Him who alone can 
 guide me aright to heaven; and how seldom 
 do I give up myself in reality. I must first be 
 convinced that I cannot guide myself, before I 
 can ever give myself to be guided by another. 
 Secondly, I must count the cost. Sometimes 
 it is necessary that I should be deprived of 
 earthly goods, in order to wean my affection 
 from the world. Sometimes a child must be 
 taken away, — sometimes I must be in debt, 
 and people sent to harass me for their money, 
 — sometimes there must be sickness, — and at 
 others, imprisonment. We stand in need of 
 some cross or other, in order that our souls 
 may be made meet for heaven. O, what a 
 mercy it is that God will have any thing to 
 do with us at all. Then let me never murmur 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 57 
 
 at any cross he is pleased to put on me? May 
 I cheerfully take it up, and go on my way 
 rejoicing." 
 
 Though Mr. C. was now in more prosperous 
 circumstances, so active and benevolent was 
 his disposition, that he never could be induced 
 to save money, even when he had the oppor- 
 tunity. He was now a constant visiter of the 
 sick poor, and, frequently coming in contact 
 with objects suffering in all the varieties of 
 wretchedness, his hand and his heart were 
 always open for their relief. 
 
 Oftentimes his benefactions were so distrib- 
 uted, that the recipient knew not from what 
 quarter the supply proceeded. One Saturday, 
 at the early meeting, he was informed that a 
 pious man, one of the fruits of his labors, had 
 not, through poverty, tasted any meat for 
 several months. At night, therefore, he pur- 
 chased a leg of mutton; and having tied it to 
 the knocker of the poor man's door, he gave a 
 loud knock, and ran away. On the following 
 morning, after the conclusion of the meeting, 
 that individual related what had happened, and, 
 expressing his fears that some evil was designed 
 against him, asked for advice as to what he 
 had better do with the meat. Every one 
 counselled him to eat it; but it was not till 
 
58 MEMOIR OF 
 
 after Mr. Cranfield had repeatedly assured 
 him he would be responsible for his conduct, 
 that the poor man was prevailed upon to do so. 
 
 At the close of the year, Mr. C , through his 
 connexion with Messrs. Reyner, Burchett, 
 and other respectable individuals, had such an 
 influx of business, that he deemed it advisable 
 to take two apprentices; and in the year fol- 
 lowing, another was added to their number. 
 But this change in his affairs produced little 
 alteration in his general conduct, except that 
 it rendered him more extensively useful. He 
 had no love for money, and only valued it as 
 the means of providing for the wants of his 
 family, and of enabling him more effectually 
 to obey the apostolic direction to " do good 
 unto all men, especially unto them who are of 
 the household of faith." 
 
 The weather now began to set in very cold, 
 employment was scarce, and the poor inhabi- 
 tants, especially the brickmakers, were invery 
 great distress. Mr. Cranfield, therefore, 
 began to consider how relief could best be 
 afforded them. After various things had been 
 suggested to his mind, he at length drew up a 
 plan for raising subscriptions, and purchasing 
 articles of consumption, and retailing them to 
 the poor at very reduced prices. After the 
 
THOMAS CRAN FIELD. 59 
 
 five o'clock prayer-meeting, on New Year's 
 morning, 1791, was concluded, Mr. C. read 
 his plan to the persons present. It was a very 
 full meeting, and it was approved of by all. 
 Mr. Reyner immediately put his name down 
 for two guineas, others subscribed one. 
 Each gave what he could afford, and then Mr. 
 C. went round the neighborhood to raise con- 
 tributions from among the inhabitants. By 
 the evening he had collected upwards of £20, 
 which he placed in the hands of Mr. Reyner, 
 who acted as treasurer; and that benevolent 
 gentleman then collected to the amount of £50 
 more. The first thing they did was to purchase 
 coals, which were then 2s. 3d, per bushel, and 
 a supply of twenty chaldrons was obtained, and 
 deposited in a gentleman's coach-house, the 
 use of which had been obtained for the occa- 
 sion. Mr. Cranfield was here to be seen 
 every morning with his apron on, busily 
 employed in serving out the coals at sixpence 
 per bushel, tickets for which had previously 
 been obtained. Bread and other necessary 
 articles were provided; and the miseries of 
 the poor, during the whole of the winter, were 
 greatly alleviated. Through the activity of 
 friends, contributions poured in abundantly 
 from all quarters, so that when the frost broke 
 
GO M E M O I R O F 
 
 up, Mr. Reyner had £50 in hand, ready for 
 
 the next winter. Many of the poor, by these 
 means, were brought to hear the gospel, and 
 several were caught in its net. 
 
 About the end of 1791, Mr. Cranfield, in 
 order to facilitate the spread of the gospel 
 among the poor, opened a Sabbath school at 
 his own house, and was assisted in the work 
 by Mr. Gould; while his wife instructed the 
 girls. The number of children soon amounted 
 to sixty; and his room being too small, he 
 removed the school to the factory, where the 
 gospel was preached on the Sabbath. 
 
 In the summer, public service was frequently 
 conducted on the open green, in front of Mr. 
 C.'s dwelling; and many were thus brought to 
 hear the gospel who would not have consented 
 to enter into "temples made by hands." In 
 the autumn, application was made to the Rev. 
 Rowland Hill, to preach on the green, which 
 he consented to do, and the multitude that 
 assembled to hear him w^as truly gratifying. 
 This put new life into the whole party. The 
 zeal of Mr. Reyner, and other affluent friends, 
 was stimulated, and the design was formed 
 of building a new place of worship. Subscrip- 
 tions were raised for this purpose, and eventu- 
 ally a neat chapel was built near the green. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 61 
 
 Shortly after the removal of the school to 
 the Factory, Mr. Cranfield left it in the hands 
 of some Christian friends, and proceeded to 
 Stoke-Newington, where he opened another 
 school, and established a prayer-meeting at a 
 friend's house, named Denni'ngton. At this 
 place he labored for some time, and then 
 resigned it into the hands of other laborers, 
 and opened another at Hornsey. 
 
 Here he hired a room in the sexton's house, 
 and commenced a canvass for children. Sev- 
 eral attended, and many of the poor inhabitants 
 were brought to hear the gospel. The place 
 being small, it was proposed to assemble the 
 people in the open air. Accordingly, a minis- 
 ter having been provided, the friends were 
 collected together from Kingsland, among 
 whom was Mr. Reyner, and the gospel trumpet 
 was sounded at Hornsey. But no sooner had 
 the minister opened his commission, than the 
 whole village was in an uproar. The inhabit- 
 ants, headed by a rich merchant, and several 
 persons of influence in the town, came in a 
 body, with kettles, drums, rattles, bells and 
 clubs, making the most discordant sounds; 
 but in spite of this treatment, the preacher still 
 continued his address, and the mob, finding 
 that noise was of little avail, tried the effect of 
 6 
 
62 MEMOIR OF 
 
 blows. Some, therefore, went to work with 
 sticks, and others with stones, by which several 
 persons were injured, and the little party was 
 at length beaten out of the village. 
 
 But Mr. Cranfield was not a person who 
 could be put down in this way. He was 
 determined that the poor should have the 
 gospel preached to them, therefore, on the 
 following morning, he and his friends proceed- 
 ed to the police office, in Worship street, and 
 took out warrants against the merchant and 
 other ringleaders of the mob, who were repri- 
 manded by the magistrate; and, as the charge 
 was not pressed, the offenders were dismissed, 
 after having entered into recognizances to 
 keep the peace. 
 
 The vicar now sent for the poor sexton, and 
 threatened him with dismissal from his office; 
 he, thereupon, came to Mr. Cranfield, and 
 requested him to remove his school to some 
 other house. With this request Mr. C. com- 
 plied, and hired a room at the west end of the 
 village, where the school was continued; and 
 the work went on so prosperously, that, 
 eventually, a chapel was built, and a great 
 reformation took place in that benighted 
 neighborhood. 
 
 About 1794, the minister at Kingsland 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 63 
 
 having embraced Arian principles, a division- 
 arose in the little church; some of the con- 
 gregation supported him, but many left, and 
 joined other churches, while a lew relapsed 
 into a backsliding state, among whom, it is to 
 be regretted, was the subject of this memoir. 
 
 Previous to this time, a society had been 
 formed in London, denominated the "London 
 Corresponding Society," for the avowed pur- 
 pose of corresponding with the leaders of the 
 French revolution, and of obtaining a reforma- 
 tion of abuses in the state, by other means 
 than those pointed out by the constitution as 
 legitimate. The meetings of this society were 
 occasionally attended by Mr. C, and at length, 
 being enticed by the cry of liberty, he was 
 induced to enrol his name as a member; and, 
 with his characteristic ardor, employed all his 
 energies in promoting the objects of the insti- 
 tution. He delivered lectures upon the liberty 
 of the subject, and published a two-penny 
 pamphlet, consisting of extracts from a work 
 of Dr. Price, entitled, "Observations upon 
 Civil Liberty," which was much applauded by 
 the reform party. 
 
 Though Mr. Cran field had not fallen into 
 open sin, yet, by attending these meetings, he 
 lost his spirituality. His conscience often 
 
64 MEMOIR OF 
 
 accused him, and he frequently resolved to 
 withdraw himself from the connexion; but, by 
 entreaties and persuasions, his resolutions 
 were as often broken. At length his wife 
 (whose heart seemed almost broken at this 
 defection from his religious principles), under 
 the influence of prayer, wrote him a most 
 affectionate letter, and laid it upon his dress- 
 ing table. On coming home late at night, the 
 neatly folded epistle caught his attention. He 
 opened it; read its contents; and these words 
 were powerfully brought home to his conscience. 
 "My dear husband, can one go upon hot coals, 
 and his ^eet not be burned?" Conviction in- 
 stantly darted into his mind. He stood self- 
 condemned; and the next moment found him 
 on his knees, confessing his transgressions 
 before God, imploring his forgiveness, and 
 begging his assistance in enabling him to lead 
 a new life. These days of darkness he ever 
 afterwards deplored, and the remembrance of 
 thern often excited him to deep humiliation 
 and self-abasement. In detailing these cir- 
 cumstances in a letter to a friend, some years 
 afterwards, he says, "False doctrines having 
 been introduced into our church, I contended 
 with the minister, which got me ill-will among 
 the great folks. Disunion took place; some 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 65 
 
 followed the Wesleyans; the poorer sort joined 
 the congregation at Hornerton, under Mr. 
 Eyre; others went to the Tabernacle; and 
 some got into a backsliding state, of which I, 
 to my shame, was one; so that our school was 
 neglected, our prayer-meetings deserted. O, 
 how true is that word, ' When Ephraim was a 
 child, then I loved him.' There was now no 
 preaching on the green; our zeal for souls 
 was abated. Ah me, what a black catalogue 
 presents itself. O, where are those delightful 
 seasons of hearing, praying and Christian 
 conversation? 
 
 'What peaceful hours 1 then enjoyed, 
 How sweet their memory still.' 
 
 "Shall I ever again in this life taste such 
 sweetness in the love of my Saviour, as I then 
 experienced? What greatly added to my 
 distress, was the death of my spiritual guide, 
 the Rev. W. Romaine. O, how my mis- 
 improvement under him, wounded my guilty 
 soul; it was like a dagger. I followed him to 
 the grave with a heart full of sorrow, and was 
 for some time like a sheep which no man took 
 up, wandering far from the fold." 
 
 After passing a restless night, occasioned 
 
 by the tender reproof of his wife, so judiciously 
 6 * 
 
66 MEMOIR OF 
 
 administered, he arose from his bed with a 
 fixed determination of never again being seen 
 in the camp of the enemy; and after much 
 time spent in prayer and self-abasement, he 
 wrote and signed the following affecting 
 
 document: — 
 
 '•'Wednesday, 19th June, 1794. 
 
 "It is high time to awake out of sleep." 
 "I, Thomas Cranfield, have given a most 
 awful proof of apostasy from God for near 
 three months. My conscience has been much 
 burdened on account of it, but to no purpose, 
 because I did not watch. I am this day deter- 
 mined to set about a reformation; but, alas, 
 unless God lay hold of me, I am undone; for 
 the work alone must be by him; therefore, I 
 hope, by his Spirit, to look to him for strength, 
 in the first place, to break off my sins that 
 beset me. And O, that God would help me 
 in this great work! The next thing, to come 
 out from the world. Lord, lay hold on me, as 
 thou didst upon Lot, for I linger. The next 
 thing, to neglect no known duty, — family or 
 secret prayer. The next thing, to attend more 
 to my business. And the next thing, to spend 
 but little money. This is the way I mean to 
 set out to work:— First of all, to beg God's 
 blessing on the work; second, to start back at 
 
THOMAS CRANF1ELD. 67 
 
 the appearance of evil, and cry to God for 
 strength against it; third, to break off all 
 worldly company; fourth, to pray as soon as I 
 am out of bed, — at breakfast with my family, 
 at noon by myself, — in the evening with my 
 family, afterwards by myself; fifth, to give all 
 diligence to my business, and not to spend my 
 time idly in the least. And now, Lord, help 
 me. O, my Saviour, Jesus, be present with 
 me in this great work, and thou shalt have 
 the glory. 
 
 "Signed in the presence of God, and in his 
 fear. Thomas Cranfield." 
 
 Thus the Lord again delivered his servant 
 from the snare of the fowler, through the 
 affectionate solicitude and fervent prayers of 
 the devoted partner of his days. Who does 
 not admire such a mode of administering 
 reproof? Here open rebuke and loud decla- 
 mation would have entirely failed; but a soft 
 tongue breaketh the bone; and a few lines of 
 gentle remonstrance, indited under the influ- 
 ence of prayer, and sweetened by the most 
 tender affection, reclaim the wanderer, and 
 bring him back to the Shepherd and Bishop of 
 his soul. "A word fitly spoken is like apples 
 of gold in pictures of silver." 
 
68 MEMOIR OF 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 FROM HIS QUITTING THE LONDON CORRESPONDING 
 SOCIETY, TO THE OPENING OF THE MINT SUNDAY- 
 SCHOOL. 
 
 When the Christian once lays down the 
 weapons of his spiritual warfare, and suffers 
 himself to be taken captive by the enemy of 
 souls, how difficult is his return to the Captain 
 of his salvation! By what slow degrees does 
 he obtain that confidence in God, and that 
 assurance of faith, which he once possessed! 
 Like Pilgrim when he lost his roll, how many 
 bitter reflections and achings of heart are the 
 result, before he again recovers the evidence 
 of his sonship, and can "read his title clear to 
 mansions in the skies!" The truth of this ob- 
 servation was severely felt by the subject of 
 this memoir, who accordingly, on the day 
 after he had signed his solemn resolution of 
 future amendment, thus writes: — 
 
 "Thursday, 19th June, 1794. 
 
 "This day I have neglected family prayer, 
 and my mind is much clouded; but I hope God 
 will help me against sin and the tempter's in- 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 69 
 
 fluence. The Lord has promised strength; I 
 have sought it by secret prayer; and 1 hope, 
 notwithstanding all, that I shall have it. In 
 the evening somewhat refreshed by hearing 
 Mr. Wildbore. May the truth have a lasting 
 impression. Amen. 
 
 "Friday. — Somewhat more comfortable in 
 my mind, but dare not as yet call God my 
 Father." 
 
 From this time to the close of the year 1796, 
 Mr. Cranfield made no efforts worthy of notice 
 to spread the Redeemer's kingdom. His faith 
 continuing weak, through the temporary sus- 
 pension of that spiritual agency, from which, 
 alone, it derives all its vigor and activity, he 
 feared to commence any fresh operations 
 against the powers of darkness, lest, in an evil 
 hour, he should again bring discredit on the 
 cause he still loved, and wished to serve. 
 This period he ever afterwards considered as 
 a blank in his existence, and the loss of those 
 precious months he ever deplored as a misim- 
 proved opportunity, of which he should have to 
 render a solemn account. 
 
 About the commencement of 1797, he re- 
 moved to Hoxton, and attended the ministry 
 of that celebrated divine, the Rev. Robert 
 
70 MEMOIK OF 
 
 Simpson, at the little chapel adjoining the 
 academy, where he for sometime officiated as 
 clerk. Here he became acquainted with sev- 
 eral of the students, among whom, were the 
 Rev. Dr. Morrison of China, George Clayton, 
 George Collison, Hartnell, James, and Kent; 
 most of whom, afterwards, assisted him in his 
 renewed attempts to win souls to Christ. He 
 also frequently attended the week-night ser- 
 vices at the Tabernacle, and, by degrees, 
 regained that spirituality of mind, that love for 
 the sacredc Sriptures, and that ardent zeal for 
 the glory of God, and the welfare of souls, for 
 which he had been so eminently distinguished. 
 He was, also, greatly edified by the preaching 
 of the Rev. John Berridge. That excellent 
 man, when in town, had a class of young men, 
 who used to meet him one morning in the 
 week, before breakfast, and at these meetings, 
 Mr. C. was a constant attendant. It happened 
 on one occasion, that Mr. Cranfield was more 
 than usually anxious for a word of exhortation, 
 but to his great disappointment, the reverend 
 gentleman continued to call on the young men, 
 in continued succession, to engage in prayer. 
 "More prayer," he said, at the close of each 
 petition. "We cannot have too much prayer;" 
 and thus they were occupied till the time had 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 71 
 
 arrived for separation. Before, however, he 
 closed the meeting, Mr. Berridge addressed 
 them as follows: — "My dear young friends, I 
 wish to impress upon all your minds the neces- 
 sity and importance of prayer. Never leave 
 your room in the morning, without spending a 
 few minutes in this holy and delightful exercise. 
 You must know, I am very fond of a garden, 
 and take much pleasure in rearing flowers. 
 One day a friend of mine sent me a beautiful 
 flower, of which I was anxious to preserve the 
 seed. On a fine summer's morning I arose 
 early for this purpose; and so intent were my 
 thoughts upon the subject, that I went out into 
 my garden without prayer: but what was my 
 surprise and disapointment, when I saw a spar- 
 row just flying away with the last remaining 
 portion of seed! Vexed at this incident, I said 
 in my mind, 'What! am I not to have a flower, 
 Lord?' My negligence was then brought to 
 remembrance, and I inwardly replied, 'No, 
 John, you do not deserve it, you thought more 
 about your flower, than about prayer.'" This 
 little anecdote made a strong impression on 
 the mind of Mr. Cranfield, and he often related 
 it, in his latter days, for the encouragement 
 and edification of others. 
 
 Soon after his taking up his residence at 
 
/ }& M E M O I R O F 
 
 Hoxton, his mind was much distressed by 
 the abounding vice and immorality which he 
 witnessed in every part of London, and he began 
 to consider what could be done towards stem- 
 ing this torrent of wickedness. Whilst reflect- 
 ing on the subject, he cast his eye on a pam- 
 phlet which he had formerly published for the 
 London Corresponding Society ; and the thought 
 occured to him, that "it would be best to fight 
 Satan with his own weapons.' 5 He, therefore, 
 called upon his friend Mr. Burchett; and after 
 prayer for direction, it was agreed that a relig- 
 ious tract should be printed, and gratuitously 
 distributed by them in the streets of London 
 and its vicinity. The task of drawing up and 
 printing this tract, Mr. B. took upon himself. 
 It was agreed that the title of it should be 
 "Palm Sunday," and that one thousand copies 
 should be struck off. This being the first re- 
 ligious tract which is known to have been print- 
 ed for gratuitous circulation in London, a part 
 of the interesting document is here inserted. 
 
 " ON PALM SUNDAY. 
 
 " Ani a very s;reat multitude snreid their garments in the way; 
 others cut down branches from the trees, and strewed them in the 
 way."— Matt. 21 : 8. 
 
 " It being the practice of multitudes in Lon- 
 don, to go out on this day for the purpose 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 73 
 
 gathering palm, and it being considered that 
 most of such persons thus act, merely from 
 custom, or from the sensual gratification arising 
 from a pleasant walk, the following hints are 
 suggested, in hope that they may lead the 
 minds of some, at least, to that great and glo- 
 rious Being, whose entrance into Jerusalem is, 
 alas, ignorantly commemorated by the practice 
 alluded to. 
 
 "The history of Christ's entrance into Je- 
 rusalem will be found in the 21st of Matthew, 
 11th of Mark, 19th of Luke, and 12th of St. 
 John. 
 
 "Compare your conduct with that of the 
 disciples here mentioned. Are you rejoicing 
 and praising God for the mighty works which 
 he hath done? Are your minds in contempla- 
 tion of that Jesus, who, although he was Lord 
 of all, yet came down from heaven to proclaim 
 peace to a lost world. Men and brethren, be 
 wise; consider your ways. It is a solemn fact, 
 that ere-long, your eyes will be closed upon the 
 beautiful scene that now surrounds you, and 
 your souls will be hurried into the presence of 
 God. 
 
 "You cannot doubt but that, as spirits, you 
 were created for the glory of God, who is the 
 Father of spirits. Sin has, however, so 
 7 
 
74 MEMOIR OF 
 
 changed you, that you are now seeking happi- 
 ness in breaking the Sabbath, a day appointed 
 by Jesus for holy worship. Will your present 
 pursuits abate the sting of a guilty conscience? 
 Will the reflection of Sabbath-days spent in 
 indolence and pleasure, make dying easy? 
 Remember, you are still on praying ground, 
 and within the reach of mercy. God waits to 
 be gracious. He has sent his Son to die for 
 sinners, such as you are. Fly, then, to him, 
 and begin a life of reading and hearing the 
 word of God — of meditation and prayer — en- 
 joying the peace which flows from reconcilia- 
 tion with God, through the atonement of Jesus: 
 and thus you will be happy here, and infinitely 
 so hereafter. But O, trifle not with your 
 souls, or with the concerns of eternity, nor 
 suffer this friendly admonition to lose its effect 
 or to rise against you another day. 'Time is 
 on the wing!' Judgment is rapidly advancing. 
 'Prepare to meet your God.' 
 
 ' HYMN. 
 
 ' Hosarma to the royal Son 
 Of David's ancient line ; 
 His natures two, his person one — 
 Mysterious and divine. 
 
 The root of David, here we find, 
 And offspring, is the same — 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 75 
 
 Eternity and time are joined 
 In our Immanuel's name. 
 
 Blest he that comes to wretched men 
 With peaceful news from heaven 3 
 
 Hosannas of the highest strain 
 To Christ the Lord be given. 
 
 Let mortals ne'er refuse to take 
 
 Th ' hosannas on their tongues ; 
 Lest rocks and stones should rise and break 
 
 Their silence into songs.' " 
 
 On Palm Sunday morning, 1797, the two 
 friends met at Shoreditch Church, for the pur- 
 pose of commencing the circulation of these 
 tracts; Mr. Burchett took the road towards 
 Hornsey; and Mr. Cranfield that towards 
 Whitechapel. After distributing them in this 
 direction, Mr. C. returned through Thames- 
 street, and crossing over the bridge, proceeded 
 to Rotherhithe. Here he was struck with the 
 awful scenes of depravity which every where 
 presented themselves; and he immediately 
 formed the resolution of forthwith opening a 
 Sabbath school in this abandoned neighborhood. 
 In the middle of the week, therefore, he again 
 visited it, hired a room in Adam street, and 
 issued a circular, informing the inhabitants 
 that a school would be opened on the following 
 Sabbath for gratuitous instruction. On Easter 
 
76 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Sunday, therefore, Mr. C. commenced the 
 work of instruction, when upwards of twenty 
 scholars attended. At this time he had three 
 children living; and as he could not obtain any 
 other assistant, his wife attended the school 
 with him every Sabbath, though with an infant 
 at her breast; Mr. C. carried another child in 
 his arms; and the third was left at home with 
 a female servant. They dined in the school- 
 room, and returned home in the afternoon to 
 tea. The number of children increasing to 
 upwards of one hundred, Mr. C. applied to 
 Thomas Wilson, Esq. for assistance, who 
 gave him a recommendatory letter to some 
 ministers; but the only help he could obtain 
 was the privilege of being allowed to take the 
 children to the Rev. John Townsend's chapel, 
 Jamaica Row, for public worship. 
 
 About this time, infidelity appeared to be at 
 its height, and many cheap, blasphemous pub- 
 lications, consisting of extracts from the works 
 of Thomas Paine and Voltaire, were freely 
 circulated. These publications were commonly 
 known by the name of "Pigs' Meat." At the 
 shop where these infidel tracts were sold, was 
 a kind of box for the reception of communica- 
 tions from correspondents, and this box was 
 called the "Pig Trough" — a truly fit appella- 
 tion for the reception of such productions. 
 
THOMAS CRANF1ELD. 77 
 
 In order to divert the appetite of the reading 
 public from such unwholesome and disgusting 
 food, Mr. Cranfield, by the advice of Mr. Bur- 
 chett, wrote a pamphlet, entitled, "Select Say- 
 ings of the Rev. William Roinaine," which 
 sayings Mr. C. had taken down at Blackfriars' 
 and St. Dunstan's Churches. The manuscript, 
 when completed, was submitted to Dr. Simp- 
 son; and he having approved of it, one thou- 
 sand copies were immediately printed and cir- 
 culated at Mr.« C.'s expense. Of these, five 
 hundred were distributed gratis, and the re- 
 mainder were sold at the doors of the Taber- 
 nacle, Tottenham Court Road, and Surrey 
 Chapels, at one penny each. He afterwards 
 distributed in a similar manner one thousand 
 copies of the Rev. William Romaine's Sermon 
 on the 107th Psalm; and at a subsequent period 
 he published an "Address to the Rising Gen- 
 eration." This practice, however, he discon- 
 tinued, upon the formation of the Religious 
 Tract Society in 1799. 
 
 The Sabbath school, at Rotherhithe, went 
 on prosperously, and the Lord was pleased to 
 bless the instruction in a remarkable manner 
 to several of the children. One of these, a 
 little girl, was called to her rest about nine 
 months after the opening of the school. Mr. 
 7* 
 
78 MEMOIROF 
 
 Cranfield visited her in her illness, and she 
 died, leaving an interesting testimony to the 
 advantages of Sabbath school instruction. 
 Several years afterwards, Mr. C. met a friend 
 in Southwark, who asked him if he did not 
 recollect presenting a youth with a Testament 
 at Rotherhithe Sabbath school, as a reward 
 for learning the Epistle to the Ephesians in 
 one week. Mr. C. replied in the affirmative. 
 "Well," said his friend, "that person is now 
 alive ; I saw him the other day, and he informed 
 me of the fact, showing me, at the same time, 
 the Testament you gave him. After he left 
 the school he went to sea, and that Testament 
 has been four voyages with him to the East 
 Indies. He told me that it was the man of his 
 counsel, his chief companion in all his troubles, 
 and that it had been made a great blessing to 
 his soul." 
 
 The more Mr. Cranfield engaged in Sabbath 
 school instruction, the more convinced he be- 
 came of its great importance and utility; and 
 now, being assisted at Rotherhithe by some 
 members of Mr. Townsend's congregation, he, 
 in December, 1797, opened another Sabbath 
 school in a brick-maker's house, near the High 
 Cross, Tottenham. At this place were several 
 youths of most abandoned character, and he 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 79 
 
 calculated upon receiving much annoyance 
 from them; but, contrary to his expectations, 
 these were among the earliest who applied for 
 admission. At first they were rather unruly, 
 but the firmness of Mr. C, tempered by kind- 
 ness, soon reduced them to submission. Some 
 of them, as soon as they began to perceive the 
 benefits of instruction, formed the plan of 
 meeting at each other's houses after the labors 
 of the day, for the purpose of learning to read; 
 and to facilitate their progress in this exercise, 
 they obtained the assistance of the boys in the 
 Bible class, for which they allowed them each 
 one penny per week. Four of these ringlead- 
 ers in wickedness were subsequently called to 
 the knowledge of the truth. Mr. Burchett 
 afterwards obtained a license for public wor- 
 ship in this room, at which some of the students 
 of Hoxton academy were accustomed to preach 
 on the Sabbath evening, among whom were 
 the Rev. George Clayton, and the Rev. 
 Dr. Morrison. 
 
 At this time the exertions of Mr. Cranfield 
 were very great. When teachers could be 
 obtained for the Tottenham school, he would 
 sometimes go from his house at Hoxton, to 
 the Rotherhithe school, where the cause, 
 through his absence, had begun to decline; 
 
80 MEMOIR OF 
 
 teach the children till four o'clock in the after- 
 noon, take tea at Hoxton, then accompany the 
 preacher to Tottenham. At the conclusion of 
 the evening service, he would sometimes con- 
 duct a prayer-meeting till nine o'clock, and 
 return afterwards to his family at Hoxton. 
 
 About the spring of 1798, Miss Dunkin, a 
 member of Mr. Townsend's congregation, un- 
 dertook the charge of the Rotherhithe school, 
 and afterwards added to it a school of industry 
 for girls. 
 
 Being thus freed from the care of this school, 
 Mr. C. directed his whole attention to the one 
 at Tottenham, where he continued to labor 
 with great success till the end of July follow- 
 ing, though not without much opposition. Sev- 
 eral of the children and adults who attended 
 the school, were employed at the mills of Mr. 
 Pratt, who was considered a man of great 
 authority by the inhabitants of Tottenham, and 
 he now forbade the attendance of all persons 
 in his employ, on pain of being instantly dis- 
 charged. Mr. C. also experienced much op- 
 position from the parochial authorities, who 
 were continually raising a disturbance at the 
 door, and threatening him with prosecutions 
 for provoking a breach of the peace, and for 
 holding an unlawful assembly. Notwithstand- 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 81 
 
 ing these annoyances, the work went on pros- 
 perously. Such interruptions and intimidations 
 had as little effect in turning him from his pur- 
 pose, as those he had before experienced under 
 the wall of the Vinegar Yard, and at Hornsey. 
 At length this school, also, was taken off his 
 hands, by some Wesleyans, who subsequently 
 erected a small chapel near the spot. For the 
 present, however, he still continued to attend 
 the evening worship. 
 
 Activity being a leading feature of Mr. Cran- 
 field's mind, he was always diligently employed. 
 He could not endure the thought that, in a 
 world filled with sin and misery, he should sit 
 still and look on, without devising methods to 
 benefit those around him; and while souls were 
 perishing for lack of knowledge, he could not 
 forbear exerting himself to the very utmost, in 
 order to communicate the light of truth, by 
 which he had been made wise unto salvation. 
 On resigning the charge of the school at Tot- 
 tenham, therefore, he consulted with Messrs. 
 Pound and Carter, fellow-members with him 
 of Mr. Towers' congregation, as to what place 
 he should next occupy, with a view to make an 
 attack upon the enemy; when Kent street, 
 Southwark, was proposed as the most eligible 
 spot. He, therefore, took an early opportunity 
 
82 MEMOIROF 
 
 of reconnoitering this strong hold of the enemy, 
 and found it inhabited by the lowest of the low, 
 and the vilest of the vile. Gipsies, harlots, 
 thieves, and such like characters, were to be 
 met with in almost every house. Of late years 
 this street has not been so notorious as formerly, 
 but at that time, men, women, children, asses, 
 pigs, and dogs, were often found living together 
 in the same room; while swearing, blasphemy, 
 and the most obscene conversation, saluted the 
 ear at almost every door. To use his own 
 words, "It was the very place of dragons." 
 The children appeared in a most deplorable 
 condition, few of them being more than half 
 clad; their matted hair and dirty appearance 
 inducing the supposition that they had scarcely 
 been washed or combed from their birth. 
 
 Mr. Cranfield met his friends in the evening, 
 and reported what he had seen, when one ex- 
 claimed, "Can any good thing come out of 
 Kent street?" It was deemed advisable, how- 
 ever, to try what could be done, and the next 
 day Mr. C. hired a room at No. 124, at a rent 
 of three shillings per week; and on the first 
 Sabbath in August, 1798, the school was 
 opened. The children attended in considera- 
 ble numbers, and after he and his friends had 
 instructed them for some time, he ventured to 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 83 
 
 take them to Collyer's Rents chapel; but it 
 was with the greatest difficulty that he could 
 keep them in order. Scarcely one of them 
 had ever before seen the inside of a chapel; 
 and so rude and uncultivated were they, that 
 when the service was over, and they had got 
 into the street again, they gave three cheers 
 for the minister. 
 
 The opposition which he and his friends en- 
 countered in visiting and teaching in this dis- 
 trict was dreadful. Every species of insult 
 was heaped upon them; they were pelted with 
 filth of all descriptions, and dirty water was 
 frequently thrown out of the windows upon 
 their heads. This treatment cooled the zeal 
 of the two friends, but Mr. Cranfield, nothing 
 intimidated, pushed forward the work with 
 courage and perseverance, and, though alone, 
 he feared not to venture into the dwellings 
 of the most desperate characters, in search 
 of precious souls — 
 
 " Unshaken, unseduced, unterrified, 
 His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal ! 
 Nor number, nor example with him wrought 
 To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind, 
 Though single." 
 
 Upon the desertion of his helpers, Mr. C, 
 finding it impossible to do the whole of the 
 
84 MEMOIR OF 
 
 work himself, applied to his wife, who, not- 
 withstanding the difficulties and discourage- 
 ments with which she knew she should have 
 to contend, rather than the cause should be 
 abandoned, readily consented to accompany 
 him. This was no easy task, as she had to 
 travel from Hoxton, a distance of about three 
 miles, leading two children, while her husband 
 carried a third. Nor was this employment of 
 the most pleasant description. The children 
 frequently came so dirty, that the color of 
 their skins could scarcely be ascertained, 
 while their clothes, in many cases, were filled 
 with vermin. In course of time, however, 
 their appearance was greatly improved, and 
 cleanliness was made indispensably necessary 
 to their continuance in the school. 
 
 On the approach of winter, the number of 
 children gradually diminished, as most of them 
 were unprovided with covering for the head 
 and feet: those, however, who had been con- 
 stant in their attendance, were clothed by Mr. 
 C. to the best of his ability; and although at 
 this time his income was considerable, yet he 
 found it insufficient, consistently with the cred- 
 itable maintenance of his family, to purchase 
 such apparel for them as was continually 
 needed. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 85 
 
 In the spring of 1799, finding the work too 
 much f>r himself and his wife, especially as he 
 was still obliged to attend the evening preach- 
 ing at Tottenham, he applied to several persons 
 for assistance, but in vain. He then went 
 again to Mr. Wilson, and obtained another 
 recommendatory letter, with which he repaired 
 to the Itinerant Society; but the only answer 
 he could obtain from the committee was, "that 
 if they listened to his application, they would 
 have as many Sabbath schools to attend, as 
 there were chandlers' shops in London." 
 This was a painful answer, and filled his heart 
 with sorrow. "Alas, poor Kent street ! " he 
 involuntarily said to himself as he retired; "is 
 there none to take thee by the hand?" He 
 then went to the Rev. Rowland Hill; but he 
 was unable to obtain gratuitous teachers for 
 his own school at Surrey Chapel. A few days 
 afterwards he waited upon the Rev. Mr. 
 Knight; but not one in his congregation had 
 courage sufficient to venture down the street. 
 As a last resource, he went to his old and tried 
 friend, Mr. Burchett; who smiled at his dis- 
 comfiture, and told him to be of good cheer, 
 for assistance was at hand. 
 
 It happened very providentially that Mr. 
 Burchett had, that day, attended his friend Mr. 
 8 
 
Ob MEMOIR OF 
 
 Hugh Beams, of the Stock Exchange, to Sur- 
 rey Chapel, where Mr. Hill had mentioned 
 the great benefits resulting from Sabbath 
 school instruction in Scotland; and prompted, 
 perhaps, by the entreaties of Mr. Cranfield, 
 had made a most urgent and powerful appeal 
 to his hearers, to come forward and assist in 
 promoting similar objects in London. Mr. 
 Burchett, on returning home with his friend, 
 consulted with him on the manner in which 
 they might best engage in the work suggested 
 by Mr. Hill. This subject was still occupying 
 their attention, when Mr. Cranfield arrived at 
 his friend's house. "Here," said Mr. Bur- 
 chett, pointing to Mr. Beams, "is a man ready 
 to assist you; and, in the mean time, I will 
 undertake to discharge the next quarter's rent 
 for the school." 
 
 The next Sabbath, Messrs. Burchett and 
 Beams attended the Kent street school, where 
 they found Mr. and Mrs. C. busily engaged 
 with about forty children. Mr. Burchett now 
 inquired whether a larger number could not 
 be brought together, if teachers could be ob- 
 tained; when Mr. C. readily engaged to collect 
 as many children as the other could supply 
 with teachers. Both parties, therefore, went 
 to work with spirit; and on the following Sab- 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 87 
 
 bath two more teachers, Messrs. Sims and 
 Kirk, joined the school. The former gentle- 
 man was brought from Surrey Chapel, and the 
 latter was an agent of the Itinerant Society, 
 who, having witnessed the unsuccessful appli- 
 cation of Mr. C. to the committee, was induced 
 thus to come to his assistance. 
 
 As "iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharp- 
 eneth the countenance of his friend." This 
 truth was never better exemplified than in the 
 effect which this accession had upon the mind 
 of Mr. Cranfield. Cheered and animated by 
 the prospects before him, he proceeded with 
 redoubled vigor to make a fresh attack upon 
 this strong hold of Satan. The Rev. G. Col- 
 lison, having, at his request, drawn up an ad- 
 dress to the inhabitants of the district, Mr. 
 Cranfield printed it, and circulated it through 
 the neighborhood. 
 
 It is needless to say that the address, accom- 
 panied, as it was, by a promise of hats and 
 bonnets to those who would regularly attend, 
 had its desired effect. Numbers of children 
 flocked to the school, so that the room was too 
 small for their accommodation. A larger one 
 was. therefore, engaged at No. c 226, in the 
 same street. And now Mr. Cranfield began 
 to be concerned about the performance of his 
 
88 MEMOIR OF 
 
 promise. The children were all impatiently 
 looking forward to the first of August, at which 
 time the promise was to be fulfilled, and de- 
 lighting themselves with the pleasing thought 
 of being decked in their new attire. To disap- 
 point them, under such circumstances, would 
 be cruel; Mr. C, therefore, strenuously ex- 
 erted himself for the fulfilment of his engage- 
 ment; money was obtained; a quantity of 
 shambra muslin bought; and Mrs. C, though 
 otherwise much engaged, contrived, by the 
 appointed time, to make the requisite number 
 of neat cottage bonnets. 
 
 The long-expected day having arrived, the 
 door was besieged with children long before 
 the time for opening it. Their faces appeared 
 unusually clean, and their countenances 
 brightened up with the most joyous hopes and 
 anticipations. The new hats and bonnets were 
 produced; and the feeling of delight which 
 sparkled in every eye at the sight of them, 
 could only be equalled by the chagrin and 
 vexation of those whose recent entrance, or 
 irregular attendance, had not entitled them to 
 such a reward. 
 
 On the following Sabbath, when the children 
 had assembled in the street, for the purpose of 
 proceeding to their accustomed place of wor- 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 89 
 
 ship, nearly the whole of the neighborhood was 
 out. to behold the^pleasing sight; and most of 
 the spectators had something to say respecting 
 their neat and orderly appearance; some con- 
 demned themselves for not having sent their 
 children to the school, and all seemed persuad- 
 ed that the alteration in the appearance of the 
 scholars was for the better; and if they were 
 not quite convinced of the blessings of educa- 
 tion they certainly thought it an advantage for 
 their children to be thus decently clad. Mr. 
 Cranfield surveyed the whole scene with unut- 
 terable satisfaction, and the delightful feelings 
 which he experienced amply repaid him for all 
 his trouble. 
 
 Before taking leave of this department of 
 Mr. Cranfield 's labors, it will be proper to 
 notice the extraordinary success with which 
 his exertions at the school were attended. 
 
 It is, perhaps, not sufficiently considered by 
 teachers, how great an amount of good may be 
 accomplished among persons who are not im- 
 mediately connected with their schools. How 
 often have children carried home to their 
 neighbors some striking fact which they have 
 heard, or witnessed, in the school; they have 
 thereby had their curiosity awakened, and, 
 being induced to attend the school themselves, 
 8* 
 
90 MEMOIROF 
 
 for the purpose of listening to these pleasing 
 details, the word has found an abiding place in 
 their hearts. How often, while the children 
 have been repeating their proofs, catechisms, 
 or hymns, to their parents, have the arrows of 
 God stuck fast in their souls, leading them to 
 cry, "What must I do to be saved?" And 
 what pleasing instances have the histories of 
 Sabbath schools furnished, of the conversion 
 of sinners, who, attracted to the place by the 
 singing of the children, have thus been brought 
 under the sound of the gospel. A circumstance 
 of the latter kind, happened a few months after 
 the opening of the school in Kent-street. 
 
 The landlady of the house where the school 
 was held, being interested by the children's 
 voices, as they sang the praises of God, was 
 accustomed to sit on the stairs to listen, and 
 there to remain during the time of the address. 
 The word spoken seemed to make an impres- 
 sion on her mind: she soon became serious in 
 her deportment, and soon afterwards being 
 taken ill, she sent for Mr. Cranfield, who vis- 
 ited her, and found her very ignorant of God, 
 and the way of salvation by Christ Jesus. But 
 the Lord was pleased in a very short time to 
 convince her of her need of a Saviour, and she 
 was led to cry mightily for salvation. Her 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 91 
 
 prayers were not in vain. The Lord manifested 
 himself to her as he does not unto the world, 
 and sent peace to her soul. Mr. Hartnell, a 
 student of Hoxton Academy, saw and con- 
 versed with her before she died, and was much 
 edified by witnessing her faith and hope in 
 Christ. "I have no other righteousness, sir," 
 she said to him, "to recommend me to the 
 favor of God, but that of Jesus Christ." 
 
 A few days after this, a very singular and 
 providential circumstance occurred. Mr. 
 Hartnell was one afternoon addressing the 
 children, when a lodger, occupying the second 
 floor, sat himself down on the stairs, opposite 
 the school-door. Mr. H., having looked at 
 him attentively, thought that he knew him; and 
 after the service, asked him if he did not come 
 from the same town as himself? He answered 
 in the affirmative, but that, being involved in 
 debt, he sought refuge in that part of London, 
 thinking that he should not be found by his 
 creditors. He was then very ill, and shortly 
 afterward was confined to his bed. Mr. C. 
 and Mr. H. both visited him in his illness, 
 and their exhortations were blessed to his soul. 
 He soon began to comprehend the plan of sal- 
 vation, and became grieved that he had not 
 before sought after the one thing needful. His 
 
92 MEMOIR OF 
 
 weakness increased every day, and as he ap- 
 proached the eternal world, his meetness for a 
 participation in the joys of the redeemed before 
 the throne, became more manifest. He lin- 
 gered but a few days, and then quitted his frail 
 tenement, "to be clothed upon with his house 
 which is from heaven." 
 
 The case of Mr. Archer, one of the parents, 
 was no less singular. It being reported by 
 some ill-disposed persons, that the children 
 were severely beaten at the chapel for not sit- 
 ting still, he went to Mr. Knight's meeting- 
 house in Collyer's Rents, in a wretchedly 
 dirty state, in order to ascertain the fact; de- 
 termined that, if Mr. C. should strike his child, 
 he would inflict summary vengeance upon him. 
 He staid during the whole of the service; and 
 seeing that the children were not corrected in 
 the manner reported, he went peaceably away. 
 On the next Sabbath, however, he attended 
 again in the same state, and with a similar 
 design; but retired as before. He attended on 
 the third Sabbath; when the Lord was pleased 
 to arrest his conscience, and give him to see 
 what a sinner he was. After this, accompanied 
 by his wife, he waited upon Mr. Knight, and 
 opened to him the state of his mind. Mr. K. 
 received him with that affection and kindness 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 93 
 
 which ever so remarkably distinguished him, 
 and ; directing the anxious inquirer to Jesus, 
 he explained to him the way of God more per- 
 fectly. He regularly attended the ministry of 
 Mr. K., and became a humble follower of 
 Christ till his death, which happened several 
 years afterwards. 
 
 The account of Mary Turner, a child of 
 eleven years of age, whom Mr. and Mrs. C. 
 met in the street, and invited to school, is truly 
 pleasing and affecting. She was attacked by 
 inflammation in the bowels about three weeks 
 after she, with the other children, had received 
 her new bonnet. An interesting account of 
 this dear child was written by Mr. Cranfield, 
 and published in the Evangelical Magazine for 
 1779. Mr. C. says— 
 
 "On the Friday night following the first 
 attack of her disorder, she was heard to pray 
 earnestly for mercy. Her father on hearing 
 her, arose, and asked her what she meant, or 
 who it was she asked to forgive her? It is 
 God I ask forgiveness of, replied little Mary. 
 On being asked if she thought she was a sin- 
 ner; she answered, 'Yes, and I want God to 
 forgive me, and have mercy on me.' All the 
 next day she continued in prayer to Jesus 
 Christ for mercy. After praying herself, she 
 
94 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 requested her father, also, to pray with her, 
 and soon after sung — 
 
 ' How glorious is our heavenly King 
 
 Who reigns above the sky 5 
 How shall a child presume to sing 
 
 His awful majesty ! ' 
 
 "After this, she testified her thankfulness 
 to the. good gentleman and lady, as she ex- 
 pressed it, that had picked her up in the street, 
 and brought her to the Sabbath school. Then 
 turning to her brothers and sisters, she said, 'I 
 beseech you by no means neglect the Sabbath 
 school, for I have found benefit there, and so 
 may you.' She then requested her father to 
 write a note to her teacher, and to let him 
 know that she was sick. 
 
 "After this, she cried, 'Father, Father, O 
 I want you.' Her father went to her, and 
 asked what she wanted? She said, 'Not you; 
 I want my Father which is in heaven.' Again 
 she cried, 'Master, Master, oh, I want you;' 
 Her father asked, 'which of them?' She an- 
 swered, 'You cannot take me to him, for he is 
 in heaven; Jesus is my master.' 
 
 "Monday 26th," continues Mr. Cranfield, 
 "I visited her, and asked if she knew me? 
 With a smile, she answered, 'Yes,' and men- 
 tioned my name. I asked what she thought of 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 95 
 
 Jesus Christ as a Saviour; she said, 'I believe 
 him to be the Saviour of sinners.' And have 
 you reason to believe Jesus died for you? Af- 
 ter a pause, she said, ' I hope.' I then began 
 to interrogate her respecting her hope, but her 
 pains returned with such violence, that she 
 cried out, 'Dear Lord Jesus, help me.' As I 
 was speaking to her mother about the doctor, 
 she cried out, 'O my heavenly Doctor!' I 
 asked who she meant; she answered, 'The 
 Lord Jesus.' Some time after she had been 
 wrestling with God in prayer, she clasped her 
 hands together, saying, 'I have got him, I 
 have got him; O precious Christ!' She then 
 sung — 
 
 'When I can read my title clear 
 
 To mansions in the skies, 
 I bid farewell to every fear 
 
 And wipe my weeping eyes.' 
 
 "Wednesday 28th, she was taken to Guy's 
 Hospital, where she suffered much on account 
 of the behavior of the women in the ward with 
 her, whom she reproved, telling them that if 
 they continued in that state, they would surely 
 go to hell. 
 
 "The next day she was visited again, and 
 exhorted to pray to Jesus; she answered, 'that 
 she did;' but on account of the women, she 
 
96 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 said very little, neither could the visiters speak 
 to her so freely as they wished. She spoke in 
 a very low tone of voice, so that only now and 
 then a word could be heard, such as, 'Come, 
 come, come, Lord Jesus, come.' About eleven 
 o'clock in the evening she said, 'O Lord Je- 
 sus, make my bed,' and then requested her 
 mother, who had been permitted to remain 
 with her, to turn her, and immediately fell 
 asleep, I trust, in the arms of Jesus. Thus 
 died this dear child in the eleventh year of her 
 age." 
 
 She was interred in Collyer's Rents' burial- 
 ground, at the expense of the teachers, four 
 boys conveying her to the grave, six girls 
 holding up the pall, followed by 130 children. 
 It is remarkable that the Rev. Mr. Knight, in 
 concluding his address at the grave, turned to 
 Mr. Cranfield, and said, "My earnest prayer 
 to God for you is, that, as he has in a remark- 
 able manner stirred you up in behalf of the 
 rising generation, you may live to see our tem- 
 ples crowded with children, crying, 'Hosanna! 
 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the 
 Lord.' ' A prayer which many will rejoice to 
 know was fulfilled. 
 
 It was through this circumstance that Mr. 
 Turner, the father of the child, was brought 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. \) I 
 
 out of obscurity, and made eminently useful in 
 winning souls to Christ. He had been a re- 
 spectable hair-dresser in Holborn; where, 
 having been called to a knowledge of the 
 truth, he refused any longer to transact busi- 
 ness on the Sabbath. The consequence was 
 a total loss of trade, accompanied by the great- 
 est poverty and distress. He removed, there- 
 fore, to Snow's fields, Southvvark, in order to 
 avoid the gaze of his neighbors, where, on 
 visiting his dying child, Mr. C. found him. 
 By the assistance of the benevolent Mr. Bur- 
 chett, his difficulties were removed, and he 
 engaged hand and heart with the teachers in 
 the work of Sabbath-school instruction. He 
 died most happy in the Lord, in Collyer's 
 Rents, at the house to which the school was 
 then removed, and was buried near his dear 
 child. 
 
 About this time, also, a sailor, a native of 
 America, attracted by the singing of the chil- 
 dren, stood at the school-door to listen. The 
 hymn they were singing, was the following: — 
 
 " Soon as my infant lips can speak 
 
 Their feeble prayer to thee, 
 O let my heart thy favors seek ! 
 
 Dear Lord, remember me.'' 
 9 
 
98 MEMOIR OF 
 
 The last line forcibly struck the mind of the 
 weather-beaten seaman; the words followed 
 him wherever he went; and from that time he 
 regularly attended the ministry of the word. 
 
 He afterwards joined the Rev. Mr. Towns- 
 end's church, at Rotherhite, declaring that he 
 received his first religious impressions from 
 the singing of that hymn by the children of 
 the Kent-street school. 
 
 Nor ought the case of a Mrs. Sawyer to be 
 silently passed over. She had been invited, 
 with the rest of the parents to partake of a 
 twelfth-cake procured for them and the chil- 
 dren by the teachers. After the cake had been 
 handed round, each drew a ticket with a pas- 
 sage of scripture on it. And at the close of 
 the service, Mr. C. gave out the hymn — 
 
 " Guide me, O thou great Jehovah ! 
 
 Pilgrim through this barren land ; 
 I am weak, but thou art mighty — 
 
 Hold me with thy powerful hand. 
 Bread of heaven, 
 
 Feed me till I want no more." 
 
 Finding it sweet to his soul, he sang the last 
 lines three times over with great animation 
 and fervor: and the Spirit of God accompanied 
 them with power to the mind of the poor 
 woman, so that she was made a partaker of 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 99 
 
 that bread "of which if a man eat, he shall 
 live for ever." She lived for some time after- 
 wards in the diligent use of the means of 
 grace, and on her death-bed thanked God for 
 the institution of the Sunday-school. 
 
 The last interesting circumstance which will 
 be noticed in the present chapter, is the con- 
 versation of a little boy only eight years of age. 
 A remark of Mr. Kirk, "Remember, children, 
 that you are not too young to die," powerfully 
 riveted his attention, and produced in him a 
 concern for the salvation of his soul. On the 
 Wednesday following, he was taken ill, and 
 requested his father to send for Messrs. Kirk 
 and Cranfield: but he, not apprehending that 
 the child was in any danger, refused; and it 
 was not till the child was heaving his last sigh, 
 that the teachers were enabled to see him. 
 The father then told them, in a very careless 
 manner, that the child had been saying that he 
 was a sinner, and had been crying from morn- 
 ing till night, "Lord Jesus, have mercy on 
 me." To his mother he said, "I have had a 
 view of that glorious place to which my brother 
 is gone: O how I wish to be there also! Do 
 not cry for me, mother; I am going to heaven; 
 I shall be there before four o'clock." His 
 prophecy was literally fulfilled, for at two, his 
 
100 MEM (MR OF 
 
 happy spirit took its flight to the regions of 
 eternal bliss. 
 
 Thus, the Lord, in a very short space of 
 time, remarkably blessed the labors of Mr. 
 Cranfield and his coadjutors, to the conversion 
 of several individuals; for besides those who 
 have been mentioned, there are now living a 
 cloud of witnesses, who are ready to testify 
 that the Kent-street school was not established 
 in vain, nor were the labors of the teachers for 
 nought. 
 
 Previous, however, to some of the transac- 
 tions which have been detailed, Mr. Cranfield 
 was called to act a principal part in the estab- 
 lishment of another school: an account of 
 which is recorded in the following chapter. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 101 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 FROM THE OPENING OF THE MINT SCHOOL, TO THE 
 DEATH OF MR. NIXON. 
 
 In May, 1799, Mr. Burchett, moved by the 
 powerful pleadings of the Rev. R. Hill on be- 
 half of Sabbath-schools, and by the application 
 of Mr. Cranfield for assistance, convened a 
 meeting of his friends at the Hoxton Academy 
 Chapel, with the view of raising annual sub- 
 scriptions for defraying the expenses of the 
 Kent-street school, and devising means for 
 supplying it with teachers. At this meeting 
 only four persons attended; namely, Messrs. 
 Burchett, Beams, Pound, and Cranfield. The 
 subscriptions amounted to four guineas, and 
 each engaged to contribute annually the sum 
 he had then subscribed. After some consulta- 
 tion, Mr. Beams proposed that, as they had 
 now more money than would be sufficient to 
 meet the present exigencies, they should ex- 
 tend their operations, and open another school 
 in the Mint, a district near Kent-street. Mr. 
 C.j astonished at the proposal, asked how it 
 was possible to carry on a second school while 
 9* 
 
102 MEMOIR OF 
 
 their means were scarcely sufficient to supply 
 the demands of the first; when Mr. B. sharply 
 replied, "Cranfield, where is your faith?" 
 This was enough; he felt ashamed that so 
 young a convert as Mr. Beams should display 
 greater faith than himself, who had witnessed 
 so much of the power of God, in compelling 
 the most formidable oppositions to make way 
 for the advancement of his cause. Instead, 
 therefore, of any longer opposing the motion, 
 he seconded it; and Messrs. Beams and Cran- 
 field were appointed to select a room in the 
 most eligible situation. 
 
 The two friends on traversing the neighbor- 
 hood, found it worse, if possible, than that of 
 Kent-street. It abounded with filth and ini- 
 quity, was inhabited by persons of the worst 
 description, and appeared to be a place where 
 the prince of darkness had long held universal 
 and undisputed sway. Nothing daunted, how- 
 ever, they hired a room in the very heart of 
 Satan's dominions, at £4 per annum; and then 
 personally waited on the inhabitants, with a 
 request that they would send their children for 
 instruction. The place selected, was in that 
 part of Queen-street on which Willis's factory 
 now stands, where the school was opened on 
 the Sabbath, 16th of June, 1799. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 103 
 
 On that morning a most interesting scene 
 presented itself. The place was thronged with 
 parents anxious to get tlieir children admitted, 
 and the first day more than forty were entered. 
 Messrs. Cranrield, Beams, and Wills (a fresh 
 laborer) were here actively employed all that 
 Sabbath; while Messrs. Burchett and Kirk, 
 with some other friends, took care of Kent- 
 street school. The children appeared in a 
 most wretched condition, few of them wearing 
 shoes, and scarcely more than two or three 
 having covering to their heads. 
 
 It is not to be supposed that this work was 
 accomplished without strong opposition. Satan 
 had here too long wielded his sceptre, to allow 
 it to be arrested from his grasp without a 
 struggle; and accordingly the teachers were 
 reviled, insulted, and pelted with mud. Stones 
 were sometimes thrown into the school, the 
 windows broken, and all sorts of disturbances 
 created; but these devoted men kept the even 
 tenor of their way — insults and annoyances 
 only serving to cement their union, and to 
 increase their fervor and boldness at the throne 
 of grace. Having put their hands to the gos- 
 pel-plough, they never, for one moment looked 
 back; but in breaking up the fallow-ground, 
 they advanced with an energy that defied every 
 
104 MEMOIR OF 
 
 opposition, and a spirit that towered far above 
 every obstacle. 
 
 In the latter end of July, 1799, a proposition 
 was made to the teachers, by Mr. Wills, to 
 open a school in Gravel-lane, situated on the 
 north-west border of the Mint, and, at that time 
 presenting a scene of wretchedness which al- 
 most equalled that of the Mint. The proposi- 
 tion was acceded to; and Mr. Cranfield, ac- 
 companied by Messrs. Wills and Beams, hired 
 a garret at No. c 20, Old Gravel-lane, and early 
 in the following month the same was opened 
 for a school. Here Mr. Sims chiefly labored 
 on the Sabbath, until his death, assisted by 
 Messrs. Payne, Doxsey, and others. 
 
 About this time, also, Mr. Cranfield assisted 
 Mr. Burchett in opening a school in Garden- 
 row, St. George's-fields, a place where such 
 scenes of iniquity were continually witnessed, 
 that the Rev. Mr. Berridge used to term it the 
 "Devil's territory." This school was after- 
 wards removed to a room near the King's 
 Bench Prison, and was called the Debtors' 
 school. Here Mr. C. labored during a por- 
 tion of every Sabbath. Originally, the teach- 
 ers were not confined to any particular school, 
 but, acting together as one body, each went 
 where his services were most required. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 105 
 
 O how delightful was the union that existed 
 among these devoted servants of the Lord. 
 How admirably did they fulfil the divine com- 
 mand, "Be kindly affectioned one to another, 
 with brotherly love; in honor preferring one 
 another!" These happy times were seldom 
 referred to by Mr. Cranfield, in his latter days 
 without tears, accompanied by the heart-in- 
 spiring quotation from the Psalmist, "Behold 
 how good and how pleasant it is for brethren 
 to dwell together in unity." 
 
 Soon after the opening of the school in 
 Gravel-lane, a meeting was held for prayer 
 and Christian conversation every Monday even- 
 ing, to which the neighbors were invited; 
 and at these meetings much good was effected. 
 One circumstance ought not to be silently 
 passed over. An old woman, aged seventy- 
 five, came up one evening, when the friends 
 were discoursing upon the subject of the cor- 
 ruption of human nature. This proved to be 
 one of the times of the Son of man: the conver- 
 sation, accompanied by the teaching of the di- 
 vine Spirit, convinced her that she was an un- 
 pardoned sinner. During the week she was 
 taken ill, and one of the teachers was sent for. 
 Mr. Wills, accordingly, waited on her, when 
 she addressed him thus: — 
 
106 MEMOIR OF 
 
 "Sir, when I first came into your garret, I 
 heard a good gentleman speak such things as 
 I never heard before, although I have been at 
 Christ Church many times; I felt as if I was 
 about to drop into hell, my knees knocked 
 together. O sir, I am the vilest wretch that 
 ever lived." After some conversation with 
 her, Mr. Wills left, and called on Mr. Cran- 
 field, who also visited her, when an interesting 
 conversation ensued, of which the following 
 may be given as a brief outline. 
 
 "Well, madam, how do find yourelf? 
 
 Woman. O, very low, sir. 
 
 Mr. C. Do you mean concerning your 
 body or mind? 
 
 W. O, my mind, sir! I am a sinner; yes, a 
 great sinner; indeed, I am. I have been a 
 sinner for these seventy-five years, and never 
 feared God in all my life. 
 
 Mr. C. Can you read? 
 
 W. No, sir, I wish I could. When I was 
 young, there were no schools for teaching poor 
 folks' children, as there are now. 
 
 Mr. C. My good woman 
 
 W. Dear me, sir, don't call me good; I am 
 the vilest creature that ever lived. If you did 
 but know what I feel, you would have no good 
 thoughts of me. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 107 
 
 Mr. C. Well, then, I will consider you to 
 be a very bad woman — one of the worst of 
 sinners — 
 
 W. That you may very safely say, sir. 
 
 Mr. C. Well, though you are an old grey- 
 headed sinner, though your sin be as scarlet, 
 and red like crimson, the Bible tells me they 
 shall be white as snow. 
 
 W. (interrupting) — But, does it say so of 
 old sinners such as I am? 
 
 Mr. C. God has no respect of persons; and 
 all the promises are made equally to the old 
 and to the young. Mr. C. then mentioned 
 several examples of God's mercy to aged sin- 
 ners, and showed her, that when the Spirit of 
 truth comes into the heart, it convinces the 
 sinner of sin. He then proceeded to describe 
 the nature of sin, and to show how it corrupted 
 all the powers and faculties of the soul; when 
 the poor woman, looking at him with surprise, 
 said, "Why, sir, who told you this of me? 
 Now, I will tell you the whole truth. You 
 must know that when I came up to your meet- 
 ing, I thought I was as good as any of you: I 
 went to Christ Church every Sunday, and I 
 thought God would save me at last. I was not 
 then troubled about my sins, as I am now. 
 Well, sir, do you know that while you were 
 
1 08 MEMOIR OF 
 
 speaking about sin, I was stabbed to the heart: 
 I trembled all over. O, sir, you would not 
 believe what a state I was in. I was afraid to 
 go to bed, lest I should wake up in hell; and I 
 have been unhappy ever since." 
 
 After directing her to the Lord Jesus Christ, 
 who alone could save her, Mr. C. departed, 
 but visited her, however, several times after- 
 wards; and on the day previous to her death, 
 she said to him, "Last night the tempter told 
 me that God would have nothing to do with 
 me, and that it was too late to think of calling 
 upon him. 'Well,' said I, 'if I am cast out, 
 it is no more than I deserve; but still I will 
 trust in the Lord.' Soon after this, I felt great 
 love to Christ, and recollected his words, ' I 
 give eternal life.' Mr. C. then asked her what 
 were her views of Christ? To which she an- 
 swered, "Why, sir, you know that I am very 
 ignorant; but I will tell you, as well as I can — 
 I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, 
 and that he came from heaven to die for sinners 
 such as I am; though I did not think so at first, 
 when you visited me; but now I find my mind 
 gives way in love to him. Yes, I do love him. 
 O dear sir, what should I do without him? He 
 is every thing to me." She then wept bitterly; 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 109 
 
 but, after a pause, she continued: "Blessed be 
 my dear Jesus for having looked on such a vile 
 sinner as I am, and taken my cause into his 
 own hands. And does he say, 'Father, I 
 will that they also whom Thou hast given me, 
 be with me where I am?' Then come, dear 
 Lord Jesus, and carry me home." The next 
 day she died, rejoicing in God her Saviour, 
 and triumphing over death, through the blood 
 of the cross. 
 
 About this period, Mr. Cranfield was called 
 to assist Mr. Burchett in opening a school in 
 Rosemary-lane; which being accomplished, 
 and placed under the care of suitable persons, 
 Mr. B. directed his whole attention to the 
 schools in South wark, where scholars were 
 rapidly increasing. 
 
 In March, 1800, the Rev. Mr. Mosely, from 
 Scotland, formerly a student in Hoxton Acad- 
 emy, visited Mr. C, and explained to him the 
 method of imparting religious instruction on 
 Sabbath evenings at Glasgow. The plan was 
 as follows: — 
 
 Those children of the Bible and Testament 
 classes, who were more than eight years of 
 age, were assembled at six o'clock on Sabbath 
 evening. The service was commenced in the 
 usual way, with singing, reading and prayer. 
 10 
 
110 MEMOIR OF 
 
 The scholars were then catechized respecting 
 their knowledge of the sermon they had heard 
 in the morning. Each child then repeated the 
 question in the Assembly's Catechism appoint- 
 ed for the evening's subject, with proofs from 
 the Old and New Testaments, when a series of 
 questions were put for further elucidation of 
 the subject. A short and animated address 
 was then given, and the meeting closed with 
 singing and prayer. 
 
 Mr. C. perceiving the good effects that were 
 likely to result from the adoption of such a 
 plan, entered into it with his usual ardor and 
 alacrity, though it was attended with great 
 sacrifice of time; for, independent of the whole 
 Sabbath evening being occupied, the question 
 and the answer in the Assembly's Catechism 
 were obliged to be written for each child, there 
 being then no books published in a cheap form 
 for the young, as at the present day. He saw 
 that this would be an admirable method of 
 sending the gospel home to the parents and 
 neighbors; that the children, for the most part, 
 not being able to make out the writing them- 
 selves, would repair to those who could; and 
 thus, those who never came out to hear the 
 word, would have it brought home to their 
 own houses. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. Ill 
 
 He was not deceived in his expectations, for 
 a remarkable circumstance of this kind hap- 
 pened soon after the commencement of the 
 evening instruction. A little girl, named Ven- 
 ables, took home a paper upon the subject of 
 regeneration, and, upon repeating the passage 
 in John hi, "Ye must be born again," she 
 asked her mother what it meant? This ques- 
 tion the mother could not answer; but it fixed 
 her attention. Wherever she went, the words, 
 "Ye must be born again" seemed to sound in 
 her ears. She began to feel that something 
 was wanting as a preparation for heaven, and 
 she therefore obtained what religious books 
 she could from her friends, in order, as she 
 said, that she might be enabled to make her 
 peace with God. This poor woman had for a 
 long time been in a declining state of health; 
 and in the summer of 1800, being much worse, 
 she sent for Mr. Cranfield to visit her, who, 
 with Messrs. Wills and Nixon, saw her fre- 
 quently. Her memoir was written by Mr. 
 Nixon, and afterwards published in the Evan- 
 gelical Magazine for 1800. Her dying testi- 
 mony is thus related by Mr. N. 
 
 "About six weeks before she died, she was 
 greatly recovered, and was enabled to go down 
 stairs. Mr. Cranfield called upon her at this 
 
112 MEMOIR OF 
 
 time, and was surprised to see her so much 
 better. 'Ah, friend,' said she, 'you see the 
 Lord has brought me into the world again. I 
 was in hopes I should have been in heaven 
 before now; but his will be done. I hope I 
 shall have strength to stand in the heat of the 
 battle, till he take me off the field.' She con- 
 tinued down stairs for near a month, but her 
 disorder returned again so violently and sud- 
 denly, that it was with difficulty she could get 
 up again. The prospect of the joys of heaven 
 was a constant feast to her mind, and rendered 
 her extreme sufferings in the body the happiest 
 portion of her life. She frequently repeated 
 those promises which spoke of the Lord as a 
 kind Shepherd to his people. Her thoughts 
 dwelt much upon the sufferings of Christ; and 
 she would often say, 'What are all my pains 
 and sufferings, however great, when compared 
 with those of my dear Lord.' A friend asked 
 her if she was not afraid of the pains of death? 
 She answered, that 'death was a welcome mes- 
 senger to her; she longed for it day and night.' 
 Another friend said, 'I think you are much 
 altered for the worse.' She replied, 'I think I 
 am much altered for the better, for I shall soon 
 be gone.' On the morning of the day she died, 
 the sun shone very beautifully, and she desired 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 113 
 
 the window-shutter to be opened, and said, 
 'Soon shall I behold the Sun of righteousness, 
 whom I shall see for myself, and not another.' 
 In the evening, a friend came, and informed 
 me she was dying. I immediately went and 
 asked her how she did: 'O,' said she, 'I am 
 very weak, but I am waiting for my blessed 
 Redeemer!' I promised to be with her again 
 about nine, when I waited upon her with 
 Messrs. W. and B., and found her almost 
 incapable of speaking. She was asked if she 
 could bear to hear me pray? She said, 'I 
 might say what I had to say to the family, and 
 then pray that she might have a speedy disso- 
 lution.' And when I was at prayer, the pains 
 of death came upon her: her lips seemed to 
 move much; and the last words that could be 
 distinctly heard, were, 'Lord Jesus, receive 
 my spirit;' and in a few minutes after, her 
 soul took its flight to the bosom of the blessed 
 Jesus, whom she ardently loved and longed 
 for, during the short period of her spiritual 
 warfare." 
 
 Soon after this, Mr. C. was requested to at- 
 tend the death-bed of a little boy, named Hop- 
 per, who was affected with small-pox. This 
 child had attended the evening instruction, and 
 10* 
 
114 MEMOIR OF 
 
 was brought to the knowledge of the truth 
 through the powerful addresses of Mr. C. 
 The sufferings of this child were very short, so 
 that the friends had but little opportunity of 
 seeing him. Much of his time was occupied 
 in prayer, and he died while engaged in that 
 holy exercise. 
 
 Mr. C. having now witnessed the beneficial 
 results of evening instruction, became extreme- 
 ly anxious for its adoption in all the schools 
 with which he was acquainted. For this pur- 
 pose he wrote letters to all his friends engaged 
 in Sabbath school labors, giving them a des- 
 cription of the plan, and offering to assist them 
 in introducing it. The following is the copy of 
 a letter which he wrote to Mr. Furze, the su- 
 perintendent of a school at Croydon, where he 
 had promised to attend for this purpose: — 
 
 Hoxton, Jan. 17, 1801. 
 
 "Dear Sir, — I am sorry that it has not been 
 in my power to pay you a visit, according to 
 my promise. On the Sabbath following, when 
 I got up, in order to go to Croydon, I was 
 taken so ill as to be obliged to go to bed again. 
 Last Sabbath I was at the Mint, or otherwise 
 that school would have been neglected; and 
 to-morrow is ordinance day. Though I cannot 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 115 
 
 come, my prayers are not wanting on your be- 
 half. I am present with you in spirit, though 
 absent in body. The first opportunity I have, 
 you may depend upon my coming down. I 
 wish to see your school well established; but 
 above all, to hear that the Lord, by the power 
 of his arm, is working salvation in the hearts of 
 the children. As a means, let me humbly 
 recommend religious instruction in the evening. 
 You cannot conceive the blessed effects which 
 have been produced by the adoption of this 
 plan, in many of the children and others. A 
 minister told me that he knew a school where, 
 in consequence of this instruction, there was 
 scarcely a child that was not converted. May 
 it be thus at Croydon; I have sent you a list of 
 subjects for the first quarter, should you think 
 proper to give them to the children weekly. 
 
 "O that you and I may lean on Jesus for 
 wisdom, strength, and salvation, not only for 
 ourselves, but for the dear children also! May 
 we never be tempted to trust in our own bow or 
 sword; but. like one of old, say, 'It is thou, O 
 Lord, that savest us.' Unless the Lord be with 
 us. all will be in vain. O that I could be con- 
 vinced of this truth more and more, so as to 
 look only to Christ! How apt are we to trust 
 in means, and overlook the God of means. 
 
116 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Means are of no effect without the power of God. 
 They are but as the axe, a dead instrument in 
 the hands of a man. Wherefore it is said, in 
 Haggai, 'Ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye 
 drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe 
 you, but there is none warm.' There is a 
 a natural aptitude in the means to produce 
 such effects; but yet, if the Lord do but suspend 
 his influence, they can do nothing. But he 
 can work without means, as he says, 'Not by 
 might, nor by power, but by my Spirit.' If 
 there be none to help, yet his own arm shall 
 bring his salvation. And the Lord doeth this, 
 first, That he may show forth some special 
 discoveries of his power. We should be wholly 
 taken up by the creature, if the Lord was not 
 pleased to show forth something more than the 
 creature's power. Second, That the souls of 
 his people may depend upon him alone, both in 
 the want and enjoyment of his creatures. 
 Third, It is to have our eye fixed more upon 
 our heavenly home, where means and ordinan- 
 ces will be done away, for God shall be all in 
 all; that is, he shall be all unto his people im- 
 mediately. We shall then be at the fountain- 
 head, drinking full draughts of heavenly bliss. 
 O, what will be our joy when our eyes are open 
 to see Jesus in his glory ! 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 117 
 
 "The Lord the Spirit prepare us for the sight, 
 and keep us looking to Jesus by faith, until we 
 shall see him as he is. 
 
 "Yours, to serve in the dear Lord Jesus, 
 "Thomas Cranfield." 
 
 The exertions of Mr Cranfield at this time 
 in the cause of God, were almost beyond belief. 
 The children were brought from Kent street 
 school to the Mint every Sabbath evening; and 
 Messrs. Turner, Nixon, and Wills conducted 
 the service there, while Mr. C. was employed 
 at other places. The following memoranda, 
 in his own hand-writing, will furnish a specimen 
 of his extraordinary labours. 
 
 "January 25, 1801. — Set out for Croydon, to 
 assist in imparting religious instruction to the 
 Sabbath school instituted in that place. 
 
 February 1st. — Attended the Mint school in 
 the morning; then at the Debtors school; 
 opened the Mint in the afternoon, then attended 
 at Kent street; and in the evening again at the 
 Mint. 
 
 "Sabbath, July 8th.— Went to the Mint in 
 the morning; took the children to chapel; went 
 at eleven o'clock to the Debtors school; re- 
 turned home to Hoxton to dinner. In the after- 
 
118 MEMOIR OF 
 
 noon and evening attended again at the Mint. 
 Monday evening, visited the Mint; gave out the 
 subjects to the children on slips of paper, not be- 
 ing in possession of catechisms. Wednesday, 
 attended the Gravel-lane school. Friday, 
 again at the Mint. 
 
 "Sabbath, 15th.— Attended at the Mint and 
 Debtors schools in the morning; in the after- 
 noon, opened the school at the Mint; then 
 attended at Kent-street. In the evening went 
 to Croyden, and superintended the service 
 there, and conducted a prayer-meeting till nine 
 o'clock. Monday, returned home in the morn- 
 ing in time for business; in the evening attend- 
 ed the Mint school, and visited some of the sick 
 parents and neighbors. 
 
 "Sabbath, 22d. — Attended, morning and 
 afternoon, at the Mint and Debtors schools; 
 evening, at the school in Rosemary lane. 
 
 "March 1st.— Took the children to Mr. 
 Knight's; preached at the Debtors school; 
 returned to Hoxton to dinner. In the after- 
 noon, again at the Mint; discoursed in the even- 
 ing at Tottenham, and returned home to Hox- 
 ton." 
 
 Astonishing as were these labors, Mr. C. 
 nevertheless felt uneasy that he was not able, 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 119 
 
 on account of the distance of his residence to 
 do more. After much conversation, therefore, 
 with his wife upon the subject, it was determined 
 that they should remove to Southwark, within 
 a short distance of the sphere of their labors. 
 Accordingly, in the summer of 1801, they took 
 up their abode in Bermondsey street, when 
 fresh plans were projected for more extensive 
 usefulness, by a regular visitation of the pa- 
 rents of the children belonging to the Mint and 
 Kent street schools. 
 
 But the Lord, in his wise arrangements, 
 thought fit for a season to frustrate the benev- 
 olent intentions of his servant, by laying him 
 upon a sick-bed. Here he was confined for 
 several weeks by a violent attack of brain fever, 
 and was at one time entirely given over by his 
 physician. His afflicted family stood weeping 
 around him, expecting every moment that his 
 soul would take its flight to the unseen world; 
 but, when anxiety was at its climax, he sudden- 
 ly opened his eyes, and calmly asked for some 
 refreshment. It was evident that his reason, 
 which had been long suspended, had returned, 
 and hopes were again entertained of his final 
 recovery. Meetings for prayer, during this 
 time, were frequently held by his friends on his 
 behalf; and the Lord heard and answered their 
 
120 MEMOIR OF 
 
 supplications, by enabling him again, after the 
 lapse of three months, to unite with them in 
 their work and labor of love. 
 
 This temporary suspension of the labors of 
 Mr. C. did not, however, impede the progress 
 of the gospel among the poor. Another appeal 
 was made at Surrey Chapel; in answer to 
 which, no less than twenty-four persons came 
 forward, and rallied round the standard which 
 appeared about to fall from the grasp of its 
 intrepid and valiant leader. Of this circum- 
 stance, Mr. Wills informed him soon after the 
 turn of his disorder, which called forth from 
 him expressions of gratitude and praise to God, 
 who had not only supported him and his family 
 under his trials, but had made the temporary 
 loss of one laborer the means of a twenty-four- 
 fold gain. In the November following, a son 
 was born to him, whom he named Ebenezer, 
 saying, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." 
 
 In consequence of this addition of laborers, 
 Mr. C. had now more time for carrying into 
 operation a plan which he had long contem- 
 plated, for the relief of working men in times 
 of sickness and infirmity, and thus save them 
 from actual want, or a parish poor-house. In 
 his visitations of the sick, he had frequently 
 seen whole families, which had been previously 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 121 
 
 in circumstances of comparative respectability, 
 suddenly reduced to deep poverty and distress, 
 through the visitation of divine Providence 
 upon their master and head. He considered 
 that societies might be formed of industrious 
 mechanics, who, from small monthly contribu- 
 tions, might afford ample relief to each other 
 in cases of necessity. Some such societies 
 were already in existence, but were founded 
 upon so precarious a basis, that they furnished 
 no security to members for the fulfilment of 
 their engagements. Correct data were, how- 
 ever, wanted, upon which to construct a table 
 of contributions and benefits; but, as this could 
 not be obtained, he calculated, as well as he 
 could, by means of his visits to the poor, the 
 average number of sick mechanics in every 
 hundred; and thus was enabled to ascertain, 
 that a contribution of from two shillings to two 
 shillings and sixpence monthly, would, under 
 certain regulations, afford an allowance to sick 
 members of from fifteen shillings to one pound 
 per week, besides a liberal allowance for their 
 funeral, in case of their decease. 
 
 Having submitted his plan to Mr. Burchett, 
 he went diligently to work, and established 
 these societies in Enfield, Edmonton, Totten- 
 ham, Hornsey, Brentford, Walworth, and sev- 
 11 
 
122 MEMOIR OF 
 
 eral parts of London. Many of these societies 
 are still in a flourishing state, and some were 
 superintended by him until a short time previ- 
 ous to his death, when increasing age and 
 infirmity compelled him to relinquish the office. 
 
 But the welfare of the souls of men was his 
 principal object; for them he labored with all 
 the energy which his robust constitution was 
 capable of sustaining. He was in the Mint 
 and about Kent street three or four evenings 
 in the week, relieving the sick, directing the 
 inquiring, encouraging the wavering, and re- 
 proving vice and immorality. On the Sabbath 
 he would sometimes take his stand in Mint 
 square, near to the school, and there reprove 
 the vices of the inhabitants, and entreat them 
 to flee from the wrath to come, by laying hold 
 of the only hope set before them in the gospel. 
 
 At this time, Mr. C. had become pretty well 
 known in the neighborhood of the Mint, and 
 was seldom offered any personal insult, al- 
 though twice he was robbed of his watch, and 
 has lost handkerchiefs almost without number. 
 Mrs. C. was in continual alarm for his safety, 
 especially in the winter season, and used often 
 to tell him that she expected he would be 
 brought home, some night, a lifeless corpse; 
 but he would smile at her fears, and say that 
 
THOMAS CKANF1ELD. 123 
 
 the Lord knew full well how to protect his 
 servants while engaged in his employment. 
 
 The whole of the capabilities of Mr. Cran- 
 field, both of body and mind, appear at this 
 time to have been exerted in promoting the 
 welfare of his species. No season found him 
 unemployed. If indisposition confined him to 
 the limits of the sick chamber, he would send 
 for some of the Sabbath school children, that 
 he might there unfold to them the mysteries of 
 redeeming love, and set them portions of Scrip- 
 ture to learn, for their edification and improve- 
 ment. He was employed, in season and out 
 of season, in winning souls to Christ, and 
 thought no personal sacrifice too great for the 
 attainment of this one grand object. 
 
 In all his duties and engagements, he found 
 in his wife an able counsellor and a steady and 
 devoted assistant. Her amiable temper and 
 sweet disposition, combined with her sagacity, 
 prudence and piety, rendered her pre-eminent- 
 ly successful in engaging the affections of the 
 children, while imparting to them the know- 
 ledge of a Saviour's love. In the winter of 
 1801 she commenced the practice of having a 
 hot joint for dinner on the Sabbath, not so 
 much on her own account, or that of the fami- 
 ly, as that she might thereby be enabled to 
 
124 MEMOIR OF 
 
 afford a treat to some of the children, three or 
 four of whom were always taken home with 
 Mr. C. after morning worship. The children, 
 whose good behaviour entitled them to this 
 distinction, were informed of the circumstance 
 on the previous Sabbath; and their anxious 
 looks and inquiries to ascertain who were the 
 fortunate individuals that their teacher delight- 
 ed thus to honor, showed that they held this 
 privilege in no little estimation. Many of the 
 children have, indeed, declared that they never 
 knew what it was to partake of a joint of meat, 
 except on these happy occasions. 
 
 Such opportunities of doing good to her 
 youthful charge, were never suffered to escape 
 by Mrs. C. unimproved. Before they returned 
 to the school in the afternoon, she would give 
 them most excellent advice respecting their 
 conduct in the world, explain to them the 
 snares and temptations which they would, in 
 all probability, be called to pass through, and 
 point them to that God who has promised to be 
 their help and support in the time of trial. Nor 
 did she stop here. Such girls as had distin- 
 guished themselves by their regular attendance 
 at school, and attention to the instruction given, 
 she would, at a suitable age, take under her 
 roof, to be instructed in household work, and 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 125 
 
 then endeavor to provide them with situations 
 in respectable families. The amount of good 
 that was accomplished in this way is incalcula- 
 ble; nor will it ever be fully ascertained, until 
 that day, "when the Son of man shall come in 
 his glory, with his angels, and reward every 
 man according to his deeds." 
 
 11* 
 
126 MEMOIR OF 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 FROM THE DEATH OF MR. CRANFI ELD'S PARENTS TO 
 THE DEATH OF HIS YOUNGEST SON. 
 
 Shortly after the death of his co-laborer, 
 Mr. Nixon, Mr. Cranfield was summoned to 
 attend the dying bed of his venerable father, 
 afflicted with the dropsy, who died in the tri- 
 umphs of faith, imploring blessings on his son, 
 that he might have grace to follow him as far 
 as he had followed Christ. 
 
 After the death of his father, Mr. C. resided 
 at his house in Hightimber street, and took 
 care of his mother, whom he watched over 
 with the fondest attention and solicitude until 
 her death, which happened shortly afterwards, 
 when he removed to Tooley street. 
 
 In the year 1806, Mr. Cranfield revisited 
 Tottenham, at the request of Mr. Burchett, 
 to ascertain how the infant cause was advanc- 
 ing. Having reported to Mr. B. that it was 
 in a low condition, he was requested by that 
 indefatigable servant of Christ to open a school 
 about a mile and a half farther on, which he 
 did, and having attended it six Sabbaths, he re- 
 signed it into other hands, returning to his old 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 127 
 
 sphere of labor in Southwark. This produced 
 a spirit of revival in that part, so that the ex- 
 ample was followed by other Christians, and 
 schools were established in Edmonton, Pond- 
 er's End, Enfield, Wynchmore Hill, South- 
 irate, Walthamstow, and Cheshunt. 
 
 In June, 1806, Mr. Cranfield was conversing 
 with Mr. Charles Doxsey on the utility of 
 Sabbath schools, when mention was made of 
 the profanation of the Sabbath, which was con- 
 stantly exhibited on Kennington Common; 
 and it was thought that this would be a desira- 
 ble spot for the introduction of the gospel, by 
 the opening of a school. They, therefore, 
 took an early opportunity of visiting the neigh- 
 borhood, and waited on the Rev. Mr. Povah, 
 minister of Kennington Chapel, who received 
 them favorably, gave them great encourage- 
 ment, and kindly granted them the use of the 
 vestry until they could procure a more con- 
 venient place for imparting instruction. 
 
 On the following Sabbath morning they 
 visited the inhabitants; and, after much exer- 
 tion, succeeded in obtaining eleven scholars, 
 whom they brought with them to the school, 
 and received the promise of a greater number 
 for the afternoon. Before two o'clock, there- 
 fore, the friends were again at their post, and 
 
128 MEMOIR OF 
 
 to their great satisfaction the scholars amount- 
 ed to fifty. They took every opportunity of 
 canvassing the neighborhood, and soon had so 
 many children that the vestry was too small 
 for their accommodation. They again applied 
 to the Rev. Mr. P., and he allowed them the 
 use of the chapel, and assisted them as often 
 as his health would permit, by giving addresses 
 to the children. They received also the valu- 
 able aid of Messrs. Beams and Burchett. 
 
 After some time, it was thought advisable to 
 form a society for the support of the school, 
 and it was, therefore, announced from the pul- 
 pit that a meeting would be held in the vestry 
 on the following Monday evening, at seven 
 o'clock, for this purpose. This meeting was 
 attended by a great number of the congrega- 
 tion; a committee was appointed, and the sum 
 of fifteen pounds collected. Mr. C. having 
 now accomplished his object of establishing this 
 school, left it under the superintendence of Mr. 
 Doxsey, and retired again to his old sphere of 
 labor. Occasionally, however, he visited the 
 school, and was rejoiced to find the work of 
 the Lord greatly prospering there. 
 
 About July, 1809, a room was taken in 
 Prince's Buildings, White Hart street, Ken- 
 nington lane, and was fitted up at the cost of 
 
THOMAS CRAN FIELD. 129 
 
 <£170, on which occasion, the celebrated Rev. 
 Thomas Spencer (who was afterwards drowned 
 at Liverpool) preached an appropriate sermon, 
 from the text, "What think ye of Christ?" 
 The labors of the teachers were here remark- 
 ably blest, to the conversion of many children; 
 a number of whom are now members of con- 
 gregations, and teachers of Sabbath schools; 
 and a few are eminent and devoted ministers 
 of the gospel. In 1831 the old school was 
 pulled down, and a larger one built; on the 
 opening of which, the Rev. Rowland Hill 
 preached to a crowded congregation. 
 
 Some time after the establishment of this 
 school, Mr. Cranfield was greatly encouraged 
 by meeting a young female, who accosted him 
 in the street, and said, "O sir, I have been a 
 very great sinner; for I was a Sabbath break- 
 er, and used to indulge on that day in all man- 
 ner of rioting on the common, till your school 
 was opened, when I was among the first that 
 attended; and I can truly say, that the in- 
 struction I there received, has, by the blessing 
 of God, been the means of saving me from 
 ruin." This interview was exceedingly grati- 
 fying to Mr. C, and he often afterwards spoke 
 of it to Mr. Doxsey, for the purpose of stimu- 
 lating him to continued exertions for the en- 
 largement of Christ's kingdom. 
 
130 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Nor was this the only fruit of his labors in 
 this school that he was permitted to witness. 
 In the year 1809, when a general jubilee took 
 place, in consequence of King George the 
 Third having entered the fiftieth year of his 
 reign, Mr. Cranfield being at Kennington Sun- 
 day school, offered a reward of a Bible to any 
 boy that would find out the number of years 
 each of the kings of Judah reigned, and repeat 
 it to him on a given day. This was done by 
 one of the scholars much, to his satisfaction, 
 and the Bible was presented to him. Some 
 years passed away, the circumstance being 
 forgotten by Mr. C, when one day, visiting 
 Prospect place school (one of the schools con- 
 nected with Surrey Chapel), a teacher came up 
 to him, and said, "Mr. Cranfield, do you re- 
 member giving a Bible to a boy at the Ken- 
 nington Sabbath school, for informing you the 
 time each king of Judah reigned?" After 
 some consideration, Mr. C. replied that he did. 
 "Well, sir," said the teacher, "I am the 
 person, and I have the Bible now: I bless God 
 that you put it into my hands, for it has been 
 the means, with other circumstances, of bring- 
 ing me to a knowledge of the truth." Several 
 of the inhabitants have likewise expressed 
 their gratitude to the teachers for having 
 
THOMAS C R A N F I E L D . 131 
 
 opened the school at Kennington, as thereby 
 a vast number of unruly children had been 
 drawn off from the common, and the moral 
 state of the district very much improved. 
 
 Hitherto, Mr. Cranfield had continued a 
 superintendent of Kent street school, although 
 he was much engaged in promoting the cause 
 of instruction in other places; but he now re- 
 signed that office into the hands of Mr. West, 
 who still continues to hold the same, and de- 
 voted his attention chiefly to the Mint school, 
 which was then under the especial direction of 
 Mr. Burchett. A large school was afterwards 
 built by the society in Kent street, the founda- 
 tion-stone of which, was laid by the Rev. Row- 
 land Hill, and at the death of Mr. Cranfield, 
 this school contained upwards of 500 children. 
 
 In 1807, Mr. Burchett having removed to 
 Kentish Town, discontinued his labors in the 
 Mint, and opened another school near his new 
 residence. 
 
 Upon accepting the resignation of Mr. 
 Burchett, the teachers unanimously chose Mr. 
 Cranfield for their superintendent. Before the 
 close of the year 1807, being anxious to ascer- 
 tain what advantages had resulted from the 
 instruction imparted in the Mint school, Mr. C. 
 convened a meeting of the old scholars, at 
 
132 MEMOIR OF 
 
 which several attended, and gave evidence of a 
 work of grace having commenced in their souls. 
 Some of Mr. C.'s friends, however, did not 
 approve of this meeting; and he was compared 
 to a child who had dug up the seed newly 
 sown, to ascertain if it had taken root. Noth- 
 ing intimidated by this sarcasm, he prevailed 
 on his fellow-laborers at Gravel lane school, 
 to hold a similar meeting at that place; and 
 there also, it was perceived that the Lord had 
 greatly honored his servants, and had made 
 them instrumental in the conversion of many 
 souls. Speaking of this meeting some time 
 afterwards, in a letter to a friend, he says, 
 "In the year 1807, I witnessed a sight in 
 Gravel lane school, which would have been a 
 treat for an angel. Brother Sims collected 
 the old scholars, and I counted between twenty 
 and thirty souls, who ascribed their conversion 
 to the instruction they had received principally 
 from him and Payne. There are, at this very 
 time, some of the old scholars teaching in 
 different schools at the west-end of the town. 
 Several are in Mr. Wesley's connection, in 
 Southwark; one is a member of Surrey Chap- 
 el, and another is preaching the gospel in the 
 country." Mr. Cranfield, therefore, stands 
 honored of God as the first projector of old 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 133 
 
 scholars' meetings, which have been the means 
 of creating so many revivals in Sabbath schools, 
 and of conferring such lasting benefit on the 
 church and on the world. 
 
 On the 16th of June, 1808, being the anni- 
 versary of the opening of the school in the 
 Mint, he held his second meeting of old schol- 
 ars. The proceedings of this meeting he 
 detailed in a letter to the Committee of the 
 Southwark .Sabbath School Society: and, as it 
 will serve to illustrate, more particularly, the 
 nature of these meetings, and perhaps, be the 
 means of their introduction to other schools, 
 where the benefits resulting from them are not 
 as yet fully appreciated, the letter is given in 
 full:— 
 
 "Gentleme.v, — From a sense of respect due 
 to you, as well as for the encouragement of the 
 teachers, I have taken the liberty of informing 
 you of the second meeting of old scholars, held 
 at the Mint-school, on the 15th of June, 1808. 
 A few days previous to the meeting, a circular 
 letter was addressed to them, requesting their 
 company to tea, for Christian conversation. 
 The meeting commenced at three o'clock in the 
 afternoon, and was attended by a considerable 
 number of young persons. Some were mar- 
 12 
 
134 MEMOIR OF 
 
 ried, and brought their children; and many 
 were present, whom we should most likely 
 have never seen or heard of, were it not for this 
 meeting, which was called together to ascer- 
 tain how far the religious instruction imparted 
 at the school had influenced their minds and 
 conduct since they had left. The joy they 
 seemed to experience in beholding each other 
 again in the flesh, was truly gratifying. After 
 inquiring after each other's welfare, and a 
 little conversation on by-gone days, which 
 occupied the time till four o'clock, tea was 
 introduced; and this being over, the service 
 commenced with singing, reading and prayer. 
 I then gave a short prefatory address, explain- 
 ing the object of the meeting, and afterwards 
 interrogated them individually. 'Elizabeth,' 
 said I, to the first, 'what effect has the instruc- 
 tion you received at the school had upon your 
 mind?' After a short pause, she answered, 'I 
 was recommended by one of the teachers to a 
 situation as a nursery-maid; and it has been 
 my constant practice, at all seasonable times, 
 especially on the Sabbath, to collect the chil- 
 dren of the family, and catechize them after 
 the manner of the school.' This statement 
 was subsequently confirmed by her mistress, 
 who considered her a pious character. I then 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 135 
 
 addressed her by way of encouragement, and 
 called upon another in a similar manner. She, 
 poor creature, burst into tears, and, with a 
 melting heart, spoke of the repeated opportu- 
 nities she had been favored with, but, like 
 many, had failed to improve them. The con- 
 cerns of the world, and its deceptions, had 
 enticed away her mind from the best things. 
 She attended, with her husband, on the means 
 of grace, and was very thankful for the instruc- 
 tion she had received; for she could not tell a 
 letter when she entered the school, but now 
 could both read and write. After a suitable 
 exhortation to her, I called upon another. 
 This young woman had passed through many 
 trials, and had had three children, one of whom 
 was at her breast. She had a lively sense of 
 the evil of sin, and the corruption of her heart; 
 she knew perfectly the way of salvation by 
 Christ; but seemed to possess little of the 
 comforts of it in her soul. She said that her 
 desire was to love the Lord with all her heart, 
 and that it was the prevailing wish of her soul 
 to be conformed to his image. She attended 
 the preaching at Mr. Knight's, and the weekly 
 prayer-meeting in Kent street. 
 
 "The next person had likewise an infant in 
 her arms. She gave a very pleasing account of 
 
136 MEMOIR OF 
 
 her conversion to God by means of a female 
 teacher, whose practice it was, when her class 
 came up to read, to speak to the children 
 about the Saviour. 
 
 "The fifth was a decent married female, and 
 with great modesty she gave us an account of 
 her experience, and a most scriptural and 
 spiritual one it was. I had not heard so grati- 
 fying a one for some time. The work was 
 begun when at school, and increased by her 
 attendance at several prayer-meetings with 
 other pious young women. She gave us an 
 account of a number of passages of Scripture 
 which the Lord had applied to her mind when 
 under conflicts and temptations, and closed 
 with an expression of gratitude for the instruc- 
 tion she had received; for she, likewise, did 
 not know a letter of the alphabet when she 
 entered the school. Were I to give you a 
 full account of this person, which time will not 
 allow, you would say, 'Is not this a brand 
 plucked from the burning?' 
 
 "After an exhortation, and prayer for the 
 infants, I was about to call on the next, when 
 there appeared such a manifestation of the 
 presence, majesty, and power of God, as I 
 cannot express but in the language of Jacob 
 at Bethel, 'How dreadful is this place! it is 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 137 
 
 none other than the house of God, and the 
 gate of heaven.' It was almost overpowering, 
 and appeared evidently to be felt by all. The 
 experience of the last person was the means 
 of producing conviction in another, who cried 
 out, with agony of mind, and bitter weeping, 
 that she had once enjoyed the comforts of 
 religion, and had been enabled to say, that an 
 hour spent in the service of the Lord, was 
 better than a thousand spent in sin; but she 
 had backslidden from God, and had given up 
 her mind to things which did not profit. 'O,' 
 said she, 'what would I give if my experience 
 was like that of my school-fellows!' She then 
 seized me by the hand, and said, 'O, sir, do, 
 do, pray for me.' 
 
 "After having complied with her request, 
 and her excited feelings were somewhat al- 
 layed, I called upon the next, who gave us a 
 pleasing account of her change of heart, 
 through the instruction she had received at 
 the school, and informed us that she had 
 joined the church under Mr. Knight. 
 
 "I then called upon the next, who, in broken 
 
 accents, gave us an interesting account of her 
 
 conversion, through the instrumentality of 
 
 another female teacher. It is sufficient for me 
 
 12* 
 
138 MEMOIR OF 
 
 to say, that she is a member of Mr. Dore's 
 chapel, Maze-pond. 
 
 "Here, sir, I lost all fortitude: I could go 
 on no further; for I was overcome with aston- 
 ishment to hear these young persons speaking 
 of the wonderful things of God. And such 
 was my weakness, that I cried out, 'Lord, I 
 have lived long enough: now let thy servant 
 depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy 
 salvation.' I then called on brothers Sims 
 and Wortham to go on with the service. 
 
 ''Brother Wortham stood up, and said, that 
 he had often been discouraged, insomuch that 
 he thought of leaving the school; but now he 
 was surrounded with encouragements, and, by 
 the strength of the Lord, he would persevere. 
 He then gave out a hymn, and addressed them 
 fromDeut. 8: 2, 3. 
 
 "Such another day I never expect to witness. 
 I have here given you but a very faint and 
 brief account of the meeting; my time and 
 abilities will not suffer me to do more. There 
 were others present who, I have every reason 
 to believe, were subjects of Divine grace. 
 Upon the whole, I am fully satisfied that our 
 labor is not in vain in the Lord. 
 "I am, dear sir, 
 "Your most obedient servant, 
 
 "Thomas Cranfield." 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 139 
 
 Such was the delightful evidence which the 
 Lord vouchsafed to the truth of his word: 
 "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing 
 precious seed, shall doubtless come again with 
 rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." 
 And when it is considered that the parents of 
 some of those, in whom such a change had 
 taken place, were thieves, and abandoned 
 characters, it may well be said, "What hath 
 God wrought!" It were to be wished that 
 those teachers who are ready to abandon the 
 cause in despair, in consequence of the appar- 
 ent fruitlessness of their labors, saying, "Who 
 hath believed our report, and to whom is the 
 arm of the Lord revealed?" would adopt the 
 plan of Mr. C. and call together the scholars 
 who have passed from the school; and it is 
 presumed that, like him, they would have 
 abundant reason to say, that "they have not 
 labored in vain, nor spent their strength for 
 nought," 
 
 At this meeting of old scholars, it was ascer- 
 tained that no less than fourteen of those 
 present were members of churches, and that 
 there was scarcely one who did not attend a 
 place of worship. These meetings have since 
 been held annually, and none have passed 
 without fresh specimens having been produced 
 
140 MEMOIR OF 
 
 of the glorious fruits of righteousness, to the 
 praise, and honor, and glory of God, from the 
 seed scattered in this unpromising soil.* 
 
 Mr. C, thus encouraged, went forward 
 with fresh vigor, projected new plans of im- 
 provement, stirred up his friends to bring more 
 laborers into the harvest, and employed him- 
 self, both on the Sabbath and week-days, in 
 seeking after precious souls, for the purpose 
 of bringing them under the sound of the gos- 
 pel; and in these attempts he was generally 
 useful and successful. 
 
 One Sabbath afternoon, he went out upon 
 his errand of mercy, accompanied by his 
 daughter (who now well remembers the cir- 
 cumstance), and saw a number of children 
 playing upon a dust-heap, in a most deplorable 
 condition; some were nearly naked, and others 
 had merely dirty sacking to cover them. Un- 
 conscious, however, of their own degradation, 
 they were dancing merrily upon the loathsome 
 accumulation of rubbish, when Mr. Cranfield 
 went up to them, and commenced singing, to 
 a sprightly tune, the lines — 
 
 "Idle boys and girls are found, 
 Playing on the devil's ground." 
 
 * These meetings are now held annually, in all the schools 
 of the Southwark Society. 
 
THOMAS CRAN FIELD. 141 
 
 The children, struck with astonishment, ceased 
 from their gambols; and, like persons in ex- 
 pectation of some fearful visitation, shrank 
 back, and drew near to each other. "My 
 dear children," said he, "do you know you 
 are standing on the devil's ground? Yes," 
 he continued, as they cast their eyes first on 
 the ground, and then on him, with wonder 
 and surprise, "this is the devil's ground; but 
 if you will come with me to the school (point- 
 ing to the back of it, at that time in Peter 
 street), I will there tell you about God, and 
 teach you to read his holy word; and, if you 
 continue there, you shall have some nice 
 clothes to put on." The children now gath- 
 ered around him, and asked him many ques- 
 tions about the school; which he answered so 
 pleasingly, that several consented to accompa- 
 ny him; and having seated them in a class, he 
 commenced the work of instruction. So 
 wretched was their appearance, however, that 
 they were avoided by the other children as 
 infectious; but, being pleased upon the whole 
 with the manner in which they had been 
 treated, they came again. Their parents were 
 waited upon, who promised to send them 
 regularly, upon which they were furnished 
 with decent clothing, and Mr. C. had the 
 
142 MEMOIR OF 
 
 pleasure, a few years afterwards, of seeing 
 some of them occupying respectable stations 
 in life. 
 
 One of these lads, thus raised from the very 
 dunghill, obtained a situation, through the 
 influence of one of the teachers, in a shop, 
 where, however, the master paid but little 
 regard to truth; and on one occasion, being 
 desired to tell a customer, who had called 
 about some work which had been neglected, 
 that which he knew to be a falsehood, he per- 
 emptorily refused, saying, that his teacher had 
 instructed him never to tell a lie. He was 
 threatened with dismissal, but to no purpose; 
 the boy continued resolute, and the master 
 was obliged to excuse himself to his customer 
 as well as he was able. Notwithstanding the 
 vexation of the master at this refusal, he could 
 not but secretly admire the boy's conduct, and 
 ever afterwards placed such reliance on his 
 fidelity, as to intrust him with the key of the 
 till; a confidence he could not place in any 
 member of his own family. This boy, before 
 he left the school, was in the same class as 
 the writer of this memoir, and the last time he 
 saw him, he was occupying a confidential 
 situation in a merchant's counting-house. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 143 
 
 His compassion for the wants of poor chil- 
 dren was such, as to prompt him to acts which 
 would be censured by those who did not expe- 
 rience the same intense anxiety for their 
 welfare. About this period, being exceedingly 
 desirous of procuring some shoes and bonnets 
 for the more destitute of his youthful flock, 
 and being unprovided with ready-money suffi- 
 cient for the purpose, he pledged his only 
 remaining article of plate, in order to obtain 
 the necessary supply. Frequently his little 
 daughters have gone home crying to their 
 mother, in consequence of having met a child 
 in the street with either a frock or a bonnet, 
 of theirs, which they had saved up their own 
 money to purchase. "Never mind," Mrs. C. 
 would say to them when she witnessed their 
 distress, "I will buy you a better one;" and 
 she was always as good as her word. At one 
 time, when his family were going into mourn- 
 ing, he gave away the whole of their colored 
 clothes, rather than they should lie disused 
 while so many children were destitute. It is 
 not to be wondered at, therefore, that children 
 flocked to the school in great numbers, and 
 that, though possessing a respectable income, 
 he had but little surplus to lay by for any 
 emergency. 
 
144 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Mr. C. had for some years been sailing 
 smoothly along the stream of life, with both 
 wind and tide in his favor; but now he was 
 called upon to navigate in deeper waters of 
 distress than any in which his weather-beaten 
 bark had heretofore been launched. His de- 
 voted and amiable wife, his cheerful assistant 
 in all his works of charity and usefulness, was 
 now to be taken from him; and while yet in 
 the meridian of life, her sun was to set in our 
 hemisphere, casting a gloom over every heart 
 that had been warmed and cheered by her 
 pious conversation and example. 
 
 Mrs. C. had enjoyed but indifferent health 
 for some months, when in November, 1808, 
 she was confined with a still-born infant, and 
 five days afterwards she was released from 
 sickness, sorrow and sin, and her spirit was 
 admitted into the unclouded presence of her 
 Saviour, whom she loved and trusted, and 
 whose service had long been her delight. A 
 brief sketch of her life and character was 
 given by her bereaved husband to the Rev. 
 Mr. Humphries of Union street Chapel, who 
 preached her funeral sermon. The following 
 extract from the memoir will, perhaps, prove 
 interesting to the reader. 
 
THOMAS CRANF1ELD. 145 
 
 "When attending on the word, she was in 
 general enabled to feed on it with joy and 
 profit. Her confidence in God, as her Saviour, 
 was increased by the exercise of faith on his 
 promises; frequently she would repeat those 
 words, trembling all the while lest she should 
 deceive herself: — 
 
 'Jesus, thy blood and righteousness 
 My beauty are, my glorious dress/ &c. 
 
 She had been taught to live on Jesus as a God 
 of providence, and to trust him in the view and 
 experience of the deprivation of every earthly 
 comfort, and to the last day of her life, she 
 was accustomed to say, 'It shall be well.' I 
 am a witness for her that in this glorious work 
 of living by faith, she outstripped me, and 
 frequently reproved me for my unbelief. Her 
 faith always led her to the same object; and 
 the more she received, the bolder and more 
 confident she grew. 'Not one good thing, 5 
 she would often say, 'has failed of what the 
 Lord hath spoken.' O, how often, when God 
 has gladdened our hearts by his kindness, has 
 she said to me, 'Come, magnify the Lord with 
 me, and let us exalt his name together.' How 
 sweet is the memory of those days! 
 13 
 
146 MEMOIR OF 
 
 "Her kindness to her poor neighbors, as well 
 as to the children of the Sabbath schools and 
 their parents, was exemplary. She was not 
 only an excellent pattern of domestic kindness, 
 but an example of charity and benevolence. 
 The instruction of the rising generation pecu- 
 liarly engaged her attention. Often has she 
 accompanied me to the schools at Tottenham, 
 Rotherhithe, Kent street, and the Mint, with 
 an infant in her arms, when we lived at Hox- 
 ton; at other times, when half-hearted profes- 
 sors would say to her, ' I am surprised that 
 your husband should neglect you and the fami- 
 ly on the Sabbath, to attend the schools,' she 
 would reply, 'He is doing the Lord's work, 
 and I am content to stay by the stuff.' Never, 
 no, never, have I heard her utter a single word 
 that would convey an idea that she wished my 
 zeal in this glorious employ to be in the least 
 abated. 
 
 "O, when or where did a distressed case of 
 any of the children's parents arise, that she 
 did not, either by herself, or through some 
 other person, visit and relieve? With what 
 pleasure did she entertain the children, in their 
 turn on the Sabbath, at the family table, and 
 how would she exhort her own children to be 
 grateful to that God who had provided for 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 147 
 
 them, while many of the dear lambs at the 
 school had scarcely any food to eat! Let the 
 children of Kent street and the Mint witness, 
 how many of those wretched objects she has 
 taken home, cleansed from their filth, clothed 
 in decent apparel, recommended to situations, 
 and rendered them useful and honorable mem- 
 bers of society. Many times has the last 
 shilling in the house been laid out for God's 
 poor, trusting in him alone for a supply. 
 
 "As soon as the doctors had left her room, 
 I approached the bedside, when she took me 
 affectionately by the hand, and said, ' I bless 
 God for this bed; I am an unworthy creature, 
 and I look not for any temporal deliverance, 
 for by sin I have forfeited all.' Her strength 
 being exhausted, I begged her to say no more; 
 and took occasion, the next day, when she 
 was somewhat better, to ask her how she felt 
 in her mind? She replied, that it was difficult 
 for her to tell, for she was neither joyous nor 
 distressed, yet she could say she had no other 
 refuge but Christ. On Thursday she requested 
 to see brother Sims. When he came, she 
 said to him, ' I hope you will be a physician of 
 value to my soul.' He replied, 'I am nothing 
 without God.' 'Yes,' she said, 'I know it; 
 but God does speak to his people through the 
 
148 MEMOIR OF 
 
 instrumentality of others.' He then spoke to 
 her of the promises of God; when she added, 
 * I know it is true, but I want to feel; I know 
 God is faithful, but, after all, I find it more 
 easy to trust him for a crust, than with the 
 salvation of my soul.' At another time she 
 said, ' I have no other refuge, no other foun- 
 dation, but Christ; I would not give up my 
 hope, O no! for a thousand worlds.' In the 
 evening she told one of her children to go 
 down to her father, and kiss him for her, and 
 tell him that these words came home with 
 power and comfort to her mind: — 
 
 'All that his heavenly Father gives 
 His hand securely keeps/ 
 
 "On Friday morning, she said to me, 'My 
 dear, let me have drink from your hands?' I 
 then lifted up her head, and gave it to her. 
 'You have a great trial,' she continued; 'but 
 I hope God will support you under it;' and 
 then prayed that the Lord would graciously 
 help and guide me. After remaining a few 
 minutes silent, she broke out with these words: 
 
 'Rise, my sou], and stretch thy wings! 
 
 Thy better portion trace ; 
 Fuse from transitory things, 
 
 Towards heaven, thy native place. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 149 
 
 ' Sun, and moon, and stars decay, 
 
 Time shall soon this earth remove ; 
 Rise, my soul, and haste away 
 To seats prepared above.' 
 
 " She said but little after this. On Saturday 
 morning her immortal part escaped from its 
 prison, and took its flight, to mingle with kin- 
 dred spirits in the bright realms of eternal day." 
 
 Her remains were interred in Unicorn- Yard 
 burial-ground, Tooley street, and a vast num- 
 ber of the poor, whose temporal and spiritual 
 interests she had endeavored to promote while 
 living, followed her to her silent abode. 
 
 During the latter part of her life, Mrs. C. 
 had paid particular attention to those poor 
 unfortunate outcasts of society who infest the 
 streets of the metropolis. These she was in 
 the habit of bringing into her house, giving 
 them articles of clothing, and exhorting them, 
 with entreaties and tears, to abandon their 
 vicious and immoral practices, and to enter 
 the more delightful paths of piety, virtue and 
 peace ; and though she did not succeed in the 
 accomplishment of her object, to the extent of 
 her wishes, yet she had the satisfaction of 
 knowing, that in more than one instance her 
 endeavors were crowned with success; and 
 the gratitude and respect which were evinced 
 13* 
 
150 MEMOIR OF 
 
 at her funeral, by a multitude of those unhappy 
 females, proved more grateful to the feelings 
 of the bereaved and afflicted husband, than the 
 highest encomiums upon her life and character. 
 
 While the lifeless remains of the dear partner 
 of his days continued in the house, Mr. C. 
 was somewhat composed. It is true, that he 
 wept; but there was a calmness in his grief, 
 and a dignity in his composure, which proved 
 that his mind was under the special control 
 and influence of his faith in the promises of 
 the gospel; but when the hour was come that 
 he was to deposit the desire of his eyes in the 
 cold and silent tomb, he became convulsed 
 with grief, and his silent sorrow was exchanged 
 for bitter lamentations. His friends strove to 
 console him, but in vain; he refused to be 
 comforted, and said, " I will go down into the 
 grave unto my wife mourning." 
 
 This overwhelming calamity was but the 
 forerunner of others, if not equally distressing, 
 yet, coming as they did, pressing one upon the 
 heels of another, proved so severe as to shake 
 his reason almost to the very foundation. He 
 had scarcely returned from the grave of his 
 wife, when he was informed that a Christian 
 friend, for whom he had made himself respon- 
 sible to a considerable amount, was unable to 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 151 
 
 meet his engagements. On a sheet of paper, 
 containing the registry of the births and deaths 
 of his family, he makes this remark: — 
 
 "The thirteenth child died in the birth, and 
 was buried with his mother. 
 
 "November 19th, 1808.— Here I stand, 
 bereft of a pious, loving wife, the excellency 
 of all that was lovely, with six children; also a 
 returned accommodation-bill, which I endorsed 
 for a friend, for £100, expecting to be arrested 
 every moment; in a state of distress unknown 
 to any one but to God; with a heart as insen- 
 sible as steel, — no spirit to pray, and fretting 
 against the providence of the Almighty. 3 ' 
 
 After this distressing bereavement, he would 
 not allow the window-shutters to be opened. 
 He could not settle down to business. The 
 sight of his work-room served only to remind 
 him of her who was his discreet counsellor 
 his improving example, and the guardian of 
 his interests and happiness. He, therefore, 
 soon after quitted his house, and took up his 
 abode again in Bermondsey street. His mind, 
 however, still continued in a fearful state of 
 agitation; and all his actions, for several 
 months, showed that he was not in a condition 
 to manage his own affairs. Nearly the whole 
 stock of his children's apparel was given away 
 
152 MEMOIR OF 
 
 with the greatest indiscretion; and, having no 
 person to guide or restrain him, he became 
 the dupe of the wary and designing. 
 
 But the storm had no sooner began to sub- 
 side, than another seemed ready to burst upon 
 his head. Shortly after the death of his wife, 
 he received a letter from the schoolmaster, 
 under whose tuition his son (the writer of this 
 memoir) was placed, residing near Dunstable, 
 informing him that, in consequence of an 
 accident, it was rendered necessary that the 
 hand of the child should be amputated. Im- 
 mediately on receipt of this letter, he put on 
 his hat, and, with feelings which it is impossible 
 to describe, hurried on foot to his suffering 
 child, and, though a distance of upwards of 
 thirty miles, he arrived at the school-house in 
 the afternoon. Here, however, the Lord was 
 better to him than his fears. His son, being 
 brought to London, and placed under the care 
 of Sir A. Cooper, was, after a considerable 
 time, restored with the loss of only part of a 
 finger. 
 
 In 1810, most of his children being very 
 young, and his business calling him much 
 away from home (being now employed, almost 
 entirely, in conducting benefit societies), he 
 was strongly urged by his friends to marry. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 153 
 
 With this advice he thought proper to comply, 
 and was united to a respectable widow, who 
 made it her chief study to render her home 
 comfortable, and her husband happy. 
 
 About a month after this union, Mr. C. was 
 called to witness the death of his youngest son, 
 then in the fifth year of his age. This was a 
 child of great promise, and his fond father 
 looked forward to his entrance on the stage of 
 public life with the most enthusiastic expecta- 
 tions. But, while gazing on the beauteous 
 prospect which his fancy had sketched, and 
 anticipating the period when the visions of the 
 imagination should be turned into visible reali- 
 ties, suddenly a cloud overcast the radiant sky 
 — the desolating storm arose — and, in a mo- 
 ment, beat down, and destroyed the fond object 
 of his attachment. His repeated trials awak- 
 ened general sympathy, and many came to 
 condole with him, among the foremost of whom 
 was his old and tried friend Mr. Burchett. 
 
 All the Lord's people are not permitted to 
 be tossed about in such a whirlpool of affliction, 
 but many are; and it is frequently the lot of 
 those whom he designs to honor with eminent 
 usefulness. It is in this school of affliction 
 that they acquire the tongue of the learned, 
 and an ability to speak a word in season. In- 
 
154 MEMOIR OF 
 
 structed by what they themselves have passed 
 through, they are taught to sympathize with 
 their fellow-sufferers, and to " weep with those 
 that weep." And when they have been 
 "brought from the horrible pit, and the miry 
 clay, and their feet set on a rock, "the remem- 
 brance of their past conflicts is sanctified, to 
 keep them humble, watchful, and dependent in 
 their future course. 
 
 " The path of sorrow, and that path alone, 
 Leads to the land where sorrow is unknown : 
 ]No traveller e'er reached that blest abode, 
 Who found not thorns and briers in the road. 
 The world may dance along the flowery plain, 
 Cheered as they go by many a sprightly strain, 
 Where nature has her mossy velvet spread, 
 With unshod feet they yet securely tread ; 
 Admonished, scorn the caution and the friend, 
 Bent upon pleasure, heedless of its end. 
 But He who knew what human hearts would prove, 
 How slow to learn the dictates of his love; 
 That, hard by nature, and of stubborn will, 
 A life of ease would make them harder still j 
 In pity to the sinners he designed 
 To rescue from the ruins of mankind, 
 Called for a cloud to darken all their years, 
 And said, ' Go, spend them in the vale of tears.' " 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 155 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 FROM THE DEATH OF HIS YOUNGEST SON, TO THE 
 PREACHING OF MR. HILL IN THE MINT. 
 
 In the latter end of 1809, Mr. Cranfield was 
 called to mourn the death of his friend and 
 coadjutor, Mr. Sims. This gentleman, when 
 he entered the school, was but a novice in the 
 things of God, and seemed to engage in the 
 instruction of the children more out of friend- 
 ship to those with whom he acted, than from 
 an ardent desire for the salvation of souls. 
 Mr. C, aware of this, embraced every oppor- 
 tunity of explaining to him the nature and 
 importance of the work in which he was en- 
 gaged, and the necessity of seeking that divine 
 aid, without which all his exertions would be 
 as water spilt upon the ground. He wrote him 
 letters; proposed subjects for his consideration, 
 upon which he requested his sentiments in 
 writing, and associated him in his visits to the 
 beds of the sick and the dying, and by these 
 means he became more enlightened in the 
 knowledge of Christ, and was taught to engage 
 
156 MEMOIR OF 
 
 in the delightful service of his Lord and Sav- 
 iour with a pure desire to promote his glory 
 in the world. The progress he made in the 
 school of Christ was great. 
 
 The remains of this excellent man were fol- 
 lowed to the grave by a long line of male and 
 female teachers, and were buried near those of 
 his esteemed friend and fellow-laborer, Mr. 
 Nixon, at Collyer's Rents. The spectators 
 were addressed by the Rev. Rowland Hill, 
 who, standing on a tomb-stone, wept as he 
 pointed to the grave of his departed friend, 
 and exclaimed, "There lies an honest shoe- 
 maker." 
 
 This loss was quickly followed by another, 
 still more severe, occasioned by the death of 
 his valued and long-tried friend, Mr. Burchett, 
 a man full of good works; whose pity and com- 
 passion were ever excited towards his suffering 
 fellow-creatures; and whose whole benevolence 
 was exerted in relieving their wants, and in 
 warning every man, and beseeching every 
 man, as in the sight of God, with all patience 
 and long-suffering, to seek the Lord while he 
 might be found, and to call upon him while he 
 is near. He was rich in good works, rich in 
 heavenly tempers, but inexpressibly richer 
 in his Saviour's righteousness. Mr C. never 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 157 
 
 thought that he could speak too highly of his 
 worth and character. In a letter to a friend, 
 he says, 
 
 "His love for souls was great. How earn- 
 estly did he entreat the children in his address- 
 es to them, to be reconciled to Christ! How 
 lovingly did he set the Saviour forth, in all his 
 exalted perfections, offices, and characters! 
 How fervent were his prayers for the rising 
 race! How tenderly did he deal with the sick 
 and distressed! No abode of the wretched was 
 too mean for him to visit; and whenever he 
 saw an opportunity of doing good, he always 
 embraced it. If the children or parents were 
 naked, he clothed them; if they wanted cover- 
 ing for their bed, he provided it; if they wanted 
 medical assistance, he sent a doctor; if they 
 wanted wine when nature was exhausted, his 
 cellar was open to them; did they want friendly 
 advice, he imparted it; in short, I never knew 
 any case of distress come under his notice, 
 without his purse being opened for its relief. 
 
 "His remains were interred in Bunhill fields; 
 and his death was improved by the Rev. J. 
 Campbell, at Kingsland, from Phil. 1: 23; 
 and at Kentish Town, from Psalm 63: 26." 
 
 The wind and storm of trouble, which in its 
 fury had well-nigh overwhelmed Mr. C, hav- 
 14 
 
158 MEMOIROF 
 
 ing subsided, he began again to experience 
 the peace of God which passeth all understand- 
 ing, filling him with joy that is unspeakable, 
 and full of glory; and, like the mariner, who 
 has long been detained on shore through the 
 violence of contrary gales, again weighed 
 anchor, and set forward on his career of 
 usefulness. He began to visit the prisons of 
 the metropolis; and the misery and distress 
 which he witnessed, afforded him ample scope 
 for the employment of his active and benevolent 
 mind. 
 
 The circumstance which directed his atten- 
 tion to these abodes of depravity and wretch- 
 edness, was the distress exhibited by an 
 interesting female betrothed to a young man 
 then under sentence of death in Horsemonger- 
 lane gaol. She came to Mr. C, and making 
 known the circumstances of the case, requested 
 him to use his endeavors in obtaining a com- 
 mutation of punishment. The act for which 
 the criminal was doomed to suffer, was of a 
 comparatively trivial nature, but in those days 
 of ignorance and vice, the sanguinary code of 
 laws was executed with rigor and severity. 
 Mr. C. visited him in his cell, obtained such 
 particulars as were necessary for enabling him 
 to frame a petition, and then proceeded in his 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 159 
 
 work of mercy with extraordinary diligence 
 and perseverance. He first waited on the 
 Secretary of State, and, being assured of the 
 prompt attention of the government, he returned 
 to the prison to wait the issue of his application. 
 He had not been there long, before he received 
 the distressing intelligence from the governor, 
 that he had orders to erect the fatal scaffold. 
 This information served only to redouble his 
 diligence. Knowing the high esteem in which 
 the Right Hon. R. B. Sheridan was held by 
 the Prince Regent, he procured a letter of 
 recommendation to that gentleman, and, ac- 
 companied by Mr. Doxsey, he repaired with 
 it to his house. Mr. Sheridan being from 
 home, the papers were left, and he was 
 requested to call the next day. The Sabbath 
 now arrived, and the young man's funeral 
 sermon was preached. Mr. C, however, 
 still persevered, and after repeated applica- 
 tions, was admitted to a private interview with 
 Mr. Sheridan, when he made such a forcible 
 appeal in the culprit's behalf, as greatly inter- 
 ested his feelings, and elicited from him the 
 promise of an immediate and personal applica- 
 tion to the prince upon the subject. Mr. C. 
 again returned to the prison, and in the 
 
160 MEMOIR OF 
 
 evening, to his unspeakable satisfaction, an 
 officer knocked at the gate with a reprieve. 
 
 This merciful interposition of the royal 
 prerogative, naturally awakened in the unfor- 
 tunate man a lively feeling of gratitude towards 
 the individual who had so kindly interfered on 
 his behalf. 
 
 Notwithstanding Mr. Cranfield had met with 
 such extraordinary success, he was not entirely 
 satisfied. The man, through reprieved, was 
 still in confinement, and Mr. C. was resolved, 
 if possible, to obtain his discharge. He went, 
 therefore, again to Mr. Sheridan; and after 
 encountering many difficulties, he at length 
 obtained for the unhappy man an unconditional 
 pardon, and brought him out of the prison to 
 his own house, where the female to whom he 
 was attached was waiting his arrival. 
 
 The meeting was deeply affecting; tears of 
 joy were shed in abundance, and the poor man 
 was so overcome with gratitude, that, after 
 many ineffectual attempts to express his feel- 
 ings, he at last threw himself upon the ground, 
 and said to Mr. Cranfield, "There, sir, come 
 and walk over me." Soon after this, he 
 married, and left London, and Mr. C. never 
 saw or heard of him afterwards. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 161 
 
 Towards the close of the year 1811, Mr. 
 Cranfield having much business at Walworth, 
 removed with his family to that place, and, 
 notwithstanding the distance, his attendance at 
 the Sabbath school was as punctual and regu- 
 lar as ever, nor were his endeavors to turn 
 young sinners to righteousness in the slightest 
 degree abated. His mind was constantly on 
 the watch for fresh methods of gaining the 
 children's attention, and improving their minds. 
 Having, about this time, heard Mr. Walker 
 deliver a lecture on astronomy, it struck him 
 that the subject might be so simplified as to be 
 brought down to the capacities of the young. 
 He communicated his ideas to the teachers; 
 and Mr. Elton, one of the number, undertook 
 to deliver a lecture in the school, while Mr. C. 
 was to compose a catechism for the children. 
 All things being in readiness, the parents were 
 invited, and the contemplations of the assembly 
 were raised to those sublime works of the 
 great Creator, which the regions of the sky 
 contain, and the midnight hour unveils. After 
 this, the elder children were taught to repeat 
 the lecture, while the younger repeated the 
 catechism. These exhibitions were continued 
 every winter during several succeeding years; 
 and as Mr. C. was continually improving his 
 14* 
 
162 MEMOIR OF 
 
 scenery, it is supposed, that the apparatus, at 
 different times, did not cost him less that £50. 
 Whether these lectures were the means of 
 producing any saving impressions on the minds 
 of the children or parents, has not been ascer- 
 tained; it is certain that they were instrumental 
 in increasing the number of scholars. But as 
 a consideration of the heavens, the work of 
 God's fingers, and the moon and stars which 
 he has ordained, is so admirably adapted to 
 raise the mind to the contemplation of him 
 "who is the Maker of them all," it may be 
 presumed that these lectures were not deliv- 
 ered in vain. 
 
 In all his plans for the improvement of the 
 children, an especial regard was paid to their 
 spiritual welfare. All their little treats and 
 amusements were made subservient to this one 
 object; and on this he constantly and steadily 
 fixed his eye. It was for this purpose that he 
 now assembled them together twice in the 
 week, and taught them writing and ciphering. 
 One hour was occupied in these secular 
 pursuits, and the remainder of the time devoted 
 to religious exhortations. In this work he was 
 ably assisted by Mr. Kesterton. This zealous 
 and affectionate friend of children and of Sab- 
 bath schools, long since entered into his rest, 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 163 
 
 but his name is embalmed in the memories of 
 numbers who have listened to his pious and 
 instructive conversation, and have been bene- 
 fited by his holy example. 
 
 About the year 1813, Mr. Cranfield having 
 no longer any engagements at Walworth, 
 removed to King street, Southvvark, and joined 
 the church at Surrey Chapel, where he was 
 actively employed in doing good, as heretofore, 
 in the Mint district. 
 
 In the year 1824, Mr. Cranfield, being 
 anxious to know the state of education, 
 perambulated the neighborhood, making in- 
 quiries in different parts as to the number 
 of families in a house, and the number of 
 children in each family. From the information 
 he received, he drew an average of the proba- 
 ble number of children in the Mint; and then 
 went round to the various schools, to ascertain 
 how many scholars, in each, resided in that 
 district. The following is the result of his 
 inquiries and calculations: — 
 
 The number of houses in the interior of the 
 Mint is 1040; the number of families occupying 
 those houses, 2973; the number of children 
 from five to sixteen years of age, reckoning two 
 and a quarter to each family, 6689; the num- 
 ber of children receiving instruction in the 
 
164 MEMOIR OF 
 
 various charity, national, Lancasterian, and 
 Sabbath schools, 2457. So from this statement 
 it would appear that there were 4232 children 
 living without instruction. 
 
 This information so discouraged and dis- 
 tressed him, that for some time he could not 
 take his usual rest. It appeared to him as 
 though he had labored to no purpose. His 
 energies and spirits seemed greatly to decline, 
 and he began seriously to think of abandoning 
 the cause in despair. 
 
 In July, 1824, while indulging these gloomy 
 reflections, an annual meeting of the teachers 
 connected with the Southwark society, took 
 place at the Grove House, Camberwell, at 
 which he communicated the result of his inqui- 
 ries, and the effect it had produced on his 
 mind. The Rev. Mr. Elliott, of Devizes, who 
 then occupied the chair, took up the subject, 
 and stated that the paper which had been read 
 spoke volumes. He called upon the meeting 
 not to allow such a state of things any longer 
 to exist; but to unite all their energies in 
 attacking this strong-hold of ignorance and 
 vice. "And above all things," continued he, 
 with great animation, "never let the old soldier 
 throw away his sword." It is impossible to 
 describe the effect that this well-timed obser- 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 165 
 
 vation had upon Mr. C.'s mind. He arose 
 from his despondency like a "giant refreshed," 
 and early the next morning he was at his 
 writing-table, dividing the Mint into districts, 
 and forming fresh plans for bringing the chil- 
 dren to receive instruction. 
 
 The important statement made by Mr. C, 
 having been publicly contradicted, he deter- 
 mined upon a more minute inquiry. A com- 
 plete map of the Mint was drawn, with all its 
 lanes, courts, streets, and alleys, and the 
 number of houses and families, with the chil- 
 dren in each, ascertained by actual inquiry at 
 every dwelling. This work occupied him and 
 his son for several weeks; and at the close of 
 the inquiry, he found that he had rather under 
 than over-stated the numbers. In some houses 
 two and even three families were found occu- 
 pying one room; and in some of the lodging- 
 houses there were nearly one hundred inmates, 
 of whom very few indeed were able to read. 
 These lodging-houses were kept principally 
 for the use of poor travellers; but in some of 
 the better regulated of them, there were 
 a great many constant residents, who paid 
 from two to three-pence per day for their 
 accommodation. Some idea of the magnitude 
 of this undertaking, and the state of the popu- 
 
166 MEMOIR OF 
 
 lation in this district, may be obtained from the 
 perusal of the following document which he 
 addressed to a friend: — 
 
 "Dear Sir, — The statement that I made at 
 the teachers' meeting, having been denied, I 
 thought it my duty to go round the neighbor- 
 hood again, and to be a little more minute in 
 my inquiries, and the result fully establishes 
 the facts then made known." 
 
 It is believed that scarcely any other person 
 than Mr. Cranfield could have gained this 
 information. When his son proceeded with 
 the inquiry without his father, he was sure to 
 be insulted; and very few, indeed, would 
 answer a single inquiry. But there was some- 
 thing so prepossessing in Mr. C.'s appearance, 
 and he was so universally known, that he 
 readily obtained that information which another 
 would have failed to procure. 
 
 The lodging-houses having been thus brought 
 under his notice, he felt desirous of introduc- 
 ing the gospel among the inmates. He, 
 therefore, prevailed upon the proprietor of one 
 of these houses, in which there were 100 
 lodgers, to consent to have the place licensed 
 for the performance of public worship. This 
 was done, and several ministers supplying at 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 167 
 
 Surrey and Union street Chapels, proclaimed 
 the glad tidings of salvation to this poor, but 
 now orderly society of men. 
 
 Mr. Cranfield now spent much time, on the 
 week days, in teaching the inmates to read, 
 and explaining to them the different portions 
 of the Holy Scriptures. After a short time, 
 this place was taken under the superintendence 
 of the ''Union street Christian Instruction 
 Society," though Mr. C. still continued to 
 attend it as one of the Society's agents. 
 
 The following extract of a letter to Mr. 
 W. Jones, the respected Secretary of the 
 Tract Society, will show not only his care and 
 attention towards the inmates of the lodging- 
 houses, but, also, the extent to which the good 
 seed of the word of life was sometimes scat- 
 tered by the winds of providence, through his 
 agency. 
 
 "Dear Sir, — I take this opportunity of 
 acknowledging your kindness in furnishing me 
 with a grant of tracts; they have been distrib- 
 uted, some at the Cape of Good Hope, others 
 among my wretched neighbors; but the greater 
 part at the lodging-house. Some of these in- 
 mates carry the word of life wherever they go. 
 One man, to whom I gave a bundle of tracts, 
 
168 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 distributed them in every town and village he 
 passed through in his travels; and another, in 
 his journey to Scotland and back, left one at 
 every lodging-house at which he stopped. 
 Thus far, sir, I have sowed the seed, and am 
 watering it with prayer. I am now looking for 
 the harvest; but it may not be in my life-time. 
 One thing I am persuaded of— it will not return 
 void. No, the lip of truth hath said it; there- 
 fore, I am thankful that I am enabled to leave 
 it in the hands of him who worketh all things 
 according to the counsel of his own will. Mr. 
 Hill said to me the other day, ' You must fer- 
 ret these poor creatures out of their holes.' 
 'But, sir, 5 I replied, 'it is impossible; they will 
 not come out.' 'Then,' said he, 'you must 
 take the gospel to them.' These were the 
 words of Mr. Hill. Now that the orders of 
 this holy man may be put into execution, I call 
 upon you, sir, to give them an address on the 
 first Sabbath in the next month, at three 
 o'clock." 
 
 During the time he resided in King street, 
 Mr. Cranfield paid frequent visits to the vari- 
 ous prisons in the metropolis, especially to 
 that in Horsemonger lane, where he was some- 
 times admitted to the condemned cell, and 
 preached Christ crucified to the unfortunate 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 169 
 
 malefactors. Having heard one day, that a 
 poor man in this prison was ordered to be exe- 
 cuted for robbery and assault, Mr. C. resolved 
 to visit him. He accordingly repaired to 
 Horsemonger lane, and was admitted to the 
 prisoner's apartment. The young man was 
 pacing the room with hurried and unmeasured 
 steps; but what was the surprise of Mr. Cran- 
 field, when the prisoner turned round, and, 
 with a look of astonishment, mentioned his 
 name. Mr. C. soon found that he was one of 
 the old scholars of the Mint, who had been 
 seduced from the path of virtue by the wicked 
 spirits who move about seeking whom they 
 can destroy, and that he entertained no hopes 
 of mercy. His appearance was not that of the 
 hardened and unsubdued felon, treating with 
 contempt the utmost power of the law; but that 
 of the broken-hearted penitent, who would 
 gladly retrace his steps, and return to the 
 order and purity of domestic life. "Oh, sir," 
 said the young man, "would that I now were 
 sitting on the form where you used to instruct 
 me! If I had listened to your admonitions, I 
 should not have now," pointing to his fetters, 
 "been in this wretched condition." Then 
 rising from his seat, which he had upon the 
 entrance of his teacher resumed, and clasping 
 15 
 
170 MEMOIR OF 
 
 his hands together with a look of unutterable 
 agony and despair, cried, "Oh, how I hated 
 instruction, and refused to listen to the voice 
 of my teachers ! " Mr. C. was greatly affected 
 at this melancholy spectacle; he mingled his 
 tears of sympathy with the .prisoner's tears of 
 bitter sorrow, and endeavored, by the consola- 
 tions of religion, to inspire him with the hope 
 of obtaining mercy at the hands of the Lord, 
 from whom he had grievously departed. 
 
 Not satisfied, however, with administering 
 cordials to his afflicted soul, Mr. C. determined 
 to use his exertions, to prevent the extreme 
 penalty of the law from being inflicted on his 
 body. Having furnished himself with the 
 necessary information, he drew up a petition to 
 the Secretary of State, in which the prosecutor 
 joined in recommending mercy. On the fol- 
 lowing day, however, he was somewhat dis- 
 couraged, by observing in the public prints, 
 that the Surrey magistrates had vainly endea- 
 vored to interfere in the prisoner's behalf; still 
 he persevered. He waited on the Rev. 
 Rowland Hill; and so far influenced him in 
 favor of the criminal, as to obtain from him a 
 recommendatory letter to an influential member 
 of the privy council, and eventually, the 
 sentence was changed into transportation for 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 171 
 
 life; but not until the fatal apparatus was 
 erected for the culprit's execution, and his 
 funeral sermon preached. The exertions, 
 however, of Mr. C. did not terminate here: 
 he drew up another petition, praying his 
 majesty not to suffer the young man to be sent 
 out of the country; and, after a vast deal of 
 trouble, he was informed that the prisoner 
 would only be sent to the hulks, at Woolwich. 
 The last time Mr. Cranfield saw him, he 
 appeared to be truly penitent, and was paying 
 a respectful attention to the claims of religion. 
 Mr. C. used frequently to mention a circum- 
 stance that happened about this time, and 
 which greatly interested him. One morning, 
 being at the house of Mr. Justice Bailey, on 
 behalf of a young man under sentence of death, 
 he saw the servants, who had been to family 
 worship, descending the stairs with their 
 Bibles in their hands. "Here," thought he, 
 "I shall be sure to succeed; for this is the 
 house of a Christian; and piety and mercy 
 always go hand in hand." He was not de- 
 ceived; the representations that he made were 
 such as to induce that enlightened judge to 
 recommend the prisoner to his majesty's mercy. 
 The young man was then ordered to be trans- 
 ported for life; he again interfered, and the 
 
172 MEMOIR OF 
 
 government consented to his remaining at 
 Chatham. A third time he petitioned for a 
 mitigation of punishment, and the prisoner was 
 then removed into the penitentiary at Millbank; 
 from thence, he was some time afterwards 
 liberated, and is now occupying a respectable 
 and confidential situation in the country. 
 
 These are not the only instances in which 
 he succeeded in saving the lives of his fellow- 
 creatures, which had been forfeited to the laws 
 of his country; others, of an interesting 
 character, might be added. Indeed, the 
 numerous cases in which Mr. C. exerted 
 himself, for the purpose of rescuing his fellow- 
 creatures from the severity of the criminal-law, 
 would alone furnish sufficient matter for a 
 volume. His drawers were filled with petitions 
 to government, and briefs to counsel, on the 
 latter of which various sums of from one to 
 three guineas paid were marked, and on nearly 
 all of which the verdict of "not guilty" was 
 recorded. These sums were often paid out of 
 his own pocket, besides expenses of attending 
 the Maidstone, Kingston, and other assizes. 
 His success in these undertakings was truly 
 astonishing; indeed, he never was known 
 entirely to fail in any case which he undertook. 
 The reason was this; he always commenced 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 173 
 
 the work with fervent prayer, and, having 
 implored God's assistance in the undertaking, 
 he proceeded with a resolution and persever- 
 ance, which were only increased by difficulties 
 and stimulated by opposition. His love for 
 mankind prompted him to view their miseries 
 with grief and compassion, and to embrace 
 every favorable opportunity of procuring relief; 
 and thus he endeavored to follow the footsteps 
 of him "who is kind to the unthankful and to 
 the evil," causing his sun to shine, and his 
 rain to fall upon the just and upon the unjust. 
 
 In the Fleet prison, he introduced a weekly 
 prayer-meeting, which was held several months 
 in the room of Mr. Smith, who had been for a 
 number of years confined for contempt of 
 court, and whose sufferings and imprisonment 
 subsequently furnished matter for much com- 
 ment in the daily newspapers, and were such 
 as to excite the sympathies of the public. 
 These meetings were made a blessing to many. 
 A short time since, the son of Mr, Smith was 
 met by one of Mr. Cranfield's daughters, and, 
 after making inquiries respecting her father's 
 welfare, he said, "Tell him how much obliged 
 to him I feel for having conducted the prayer- 
 meeting in our room. I was then a thoughtless 
 young man, and loved more the game of rackets 
 15* 
 
174 MEMOIR OF 
 
 than the study of my Bible; but, through his 
 instrumentality, I have been enabled to discover 
 my sin and danger, and am now constant in 
 my attendance on the means of grace. I shall 
 have reason to bless God as long as I live, 
 that his attention was ever directed to our 
 prison." 
 
 About the year 1828, his calls to attend the 
 beds of the sick and dying in the Mint, becom- 
 ing much more frequent, and being then in his 
 seventy-first year, he removed altogether to 
 the Mint, and took up his abode in the very 
 centre of the place that had been now for 
 nearly thirty years the scene of his labors. 
 Here he employed himself in going about from 
 house to house; inquiring into the state of 
 education among the children, exhorting the 
 inhabitants to attend the means of grace; visit- 
 ing the sons and daughters of affliction, and 
 pouring the balm of consolation into their 
 troubled spirits. Having now an income 
 barely sufficient for his own maintenance, he 
 had but little to give to the poor. When, 
 therefore, he met with any peculiar case of 
 distress, he was in the habit of relieving it 
 with what money he had in his possession, and 
 placing it to the Lord's account (as he termed 
 it) ; he then made out a statement of the case, 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 175 
 
 and sent it to some more affluent friend, and 
 he soon became possessed of sufficient funds, 
 not only to balance the account, but also to 
 secure a surplus for the further relief of the 
 sufferer. 
 
 His son, calling upon him one day, saw- 
 some figures chalked over his fire-place, and 
 jocosely asked him if he had got a public-house 
 score there? "No," he replied, "that is the 
 Lord's score. I have been laying out a little 
 money to purchase bread, coals and other 
 necessaries, for some of his children; and 
 when I put it up to his account, he invariably 
 pays it with interest." Upon this persuasion 
 he always acted, and never for a moment 
 hesitated to lay out his very last shilling for 
 the relief of the distressed, especially of those 
 who were of the household of faith ; and his 
 idea of this household comprehended all who 
 love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and 
 was not limited by any regard to denominations, 
 parties or systems. 
 
 In the winter seasons, Mr. Cranfield spent 
 much of his time in collecting supplies for the 
 relief of the poor; and with the money which 
 he obtained, he purchased bread, rice, potatoes, 
 sago, and the necessary ingredients for soup; 
 and in this work he was generally busily 
 
176 MEMOIR OF 
 
 engaged during the whole of the frosty weather. 
 The Rev. Rowland Hill, who used to style 
 him the "Bishop of the Mint," assisted him 
 greatly in his benevolent schemes, not only by 
 contributions from his own purse, but also by 
 recommendations to various members in his 
 congregation, who were in possession of this 
 world's goods. 
 
 The plan which he adopted in affording 
 relief was this; when persons applied for 
 assistance, he took down their names and 
 addresses, and visited them at their own homes; 
 he then spoke to them upon the concerns of 
 their souls; inquired if they had a Bible, if 
 they attended a place of worship, or sent their 
 children to a Sabbath school; and, after satis- 
 fying himself of the deserving character of the 
 applicants, a ticket was given them, with which 
 they called on him the next day, and received 
 such supplies as their cases demanded. 
 
 In detailing the proceedings of one of these 
 days, he makes the following remark: — "Dis- 
 tributed seventy-seven loaves of bread, and 
 seventy-five quarts of good rich soup. The 
 whole business was completed within one hour, 
 without the least confusion. Never was a 
 benefit received with such expressions of grat- 
 itude. Several of the poor creatures, when 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 177 
 
 receiving the food, had their faces bedewed 
 with tears. One woman, who had not tasted 
 food for two days, wept aloud for joy. The 
 sight was too affecting to behold. Several of 
 them were the Lord's poor, and of the fifty-one 
 individuals who received this temporary supply, 
 only two had any allowance from the parish." 
 
 Much good was done in this way, and many 
 were thereby induced to attend the means of 
 grace; but as others, through want of decent 
 apparel, were ashamed to repair to public 
 places of worship, Mr. C. prevailed upon the 
 Rev. Rowland Hill to preach a sermon to them 
 at the Sabbath school ; with which request he 
 complied, and the place was filled almost to 
 suffocation. His example was followed by 
 others, especially by some who were training 
 for the work of the ministry, while Mr. Cran- 
 field generally officiated as clerk. At his 
 solicitation, however, the evening service at 
 this place was afterwards taken under the 
 superintendence of the Committee of the Surrey 
 Chapel Christian Instruction Society, through 
 whose instrumentality the glorious gospel of 
 the Son of God is now regularly preached, 
 every Sabbath, to the poor of the Mint. 
 
178 MEMOIR OF 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 FROM THE PREACHING OF MR. HILL IN THE MINT, TO 
 THE DEATH OF HLS LAST WIFE. 
 
 When the plan of infant instruction was 
 published to the world, Mr. Cranfield hailed it 
 as a harbinger of brighter days. He foresaw 
 that many who would not allow their children 
 to attend a Sabbath school, would be glad to 
 have a place where they could send them on 
 the week-days, while they were engaged from 
 home in their ordinary occupations; and thus, 
 not only the children, but the parents, through 
 them, might be instructed in the things which 
 make for their everlasting happiness. Having, 
 therefore, obtained permission from the Com- 
 mittee of the Southwark Sunday School So- 
 ciety, to instruct the infants in the Mint-school, 
 he, on the 5th of July, 1830, opened that place 
 for the reception of infants, who attended in 
 great numbers; and, although in his seventy- 
 third year, he proceeded in the work with all 
 the ardor and energy of a young man. He 
 visited several infant schools to observe their 
 proceedings, and, having obtained much valu- 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 179 
 
 able information, he returned home, to mark 
 out a course for himself. His first aim was to 
 instruct the children in a thorough knowledge 
 of the word of life, with most of the histories, 
 incidents, doctrines, and precepts therein con- 
 tained. He composed catechisms on a number 
 of interesting subjects, such as the journeying 
 of the children of Israel, the lives of Christ, 
 Joseph, David, and of all the kings of Israel 
 and Judah. He taught them the Jewish 
 weights and measures; engaged them in mak- 
 ing various measurements in the street, and on 
 the school-floor, such as of Noah's ark, Og's 
 bedstead, and the stature of Goliath; and by 
 these means the children obtained a wonderful 
 knowledge of the historical part of the word of 
 God. 
 
 The intellectual instruction of his scholars 
 he made only a secondary object. Once a 
 quarter he assembled the parents, to witness 
 the progress of their children; and on these 
 occasions, he would endeavor to get the Rev. 
 Rowland Hill, or some other pious friend, to 
 preside, and deliver an address. Mr. Hill, 
 at the first, did not approve of these infant 
 seminaries; but when he witnessed the chil- 
 dren's knowledge of the Scriptures, and found, 
 from actual examination, that that knowledge 
 
180 MEMOIR OF 
 
 was not so superficial as he expected to find 
 it, his opinions underwent an entire change, 
 and he declared that the introduction of the 
 infant school into the Mint, was one of the 
 greatest blessings that could have been con- 
 ferred on the inhabitants. 
 
 These quarterly meetings proved extremely 
 interesting, and were generally attended by a 
 number of respectable persons; this was 
 especially the case on one occasion, when Mr. 
 Hill presided. O, it was a delightful treat to 
 see the two aged pilgrims, surrounded by a 
 motley group of upwards of one hundred infants, 
 whom they were endeavoring, with lively zeal 
 and animation, to lead to the Saviour. The 
 contrast here exhibited of youth and age, would 
 have afforded an admirable subject for the 
 pencil; and the ample supply of buns, biscuits, 
 and reward-books, standing in the back-ground, 
 to which the glistening eyes of the children 
 were ever and anon directed, would have 
 served to render the picture complete. After 
 the service, the two venerable friends sat and 
 conversed upon by-gone days, when mention 
 was made of their labors at Kingsland. ' ' That 
 was a long time ago," said Mr. Hill; "why, 
 how old are you, Mr. Cranfield? " " Seventy- 
 hree," answered the latter; "few and evil 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELI). 181 
 
 have been the days of my pilgrimage." "Only 
 seventy-three," replied Mr. Hill, with his 
 accustomed drollery; "then you are but a 
 chicken to me." The revered minister seemed 
 much delighted with this meeting, and, but for 
 his increasing infirmities, he would have re- 
 peated his visit. 
 
 Most humiliating views he had of himself, 
 with intense breathings of heart after God, in 
 the midst of business, and while surrounded by 
 upwards of one hundred little children. During 
 the time he was engaged in , this school, no 
 less than two thousand children passed under 
 his instruction, some of whom, although very 
 young in years, died, leaving behind them 
 very satisfactory evidences of their meetness 
 for the heavenly kingdom. Particularly was 
 this the case with a little girl five years old, 
 and a boy six, who both were the means of 
 their mothers' conversion. The latter child 
 died while in the exercise of prayer. Mr. 
 Cranfield, in writing to a friend, detailing an 
 account of his success, closes with the follow- 
 ing remark: — 
 
 " Permit me to say, that I have spent thirty- 
 three years in endeavoring to instruct the 
 children of the poor in this neighborhood, and 
 have seen the fruits of those instructions in 
 16 
 
182 MEMOIR OF 
 
 the salvation of many; but my past labors 
 appear as lost, in comparison with what I 
 anticipate from the effects of infant school 
 instruction, when my head will be laid low in 
 the grave." 
 
 Much of his time was occupied, between 
 school hours, and on half-holidays, in visiting 
 the parents, to whom he always sent tracts by 
 the children, and exchanged them weekly. 
 These visits were frequently made instrumental 
 in enlightening their minds in the knowledge 
 of Christ, and several died happy in the Lord. 
 Some of these death-bed scenes were of so 
 interesting and encouraging a nature, that it 
 would be almost criminal to pass them over in 
 silence. 
 
 He was sent for to visit a poor sick woman, 
 who had two children in the Mint school. She 
 was in the last stage of a decline, caused by a 
 cold taken in her confinement. In answer to 
 the visiter's questions, she said that "she had 
 a good hope she should go to heaven, because 
 she had always acted uprightly, and could not 
 reproach herself with being guilty of a single 
 immoral act; and that, after all her afflictions 
 in this life, she could not believe that God 
 would refuse to receive her to himself when 
 she died." Upon his further questioning her, 
 
THOMAS CRAN FIELD. 183 
 
 she said that it was true she had neglected the 
 worship of God, and the concerns of her soul; 
 but then her domestic duties were so many, 
 and so pressing, that she could not find time 
 for the former, without neglecting the latter. 
 Seeino- the awful delusion under which she 
 was laboring, he warned her of her danger, 
 and endeavored, by the assistance of God the 
 Spirit, to awaken her to a true sense of her 
 spiritual condition. After some conversation, 
 he read to her the third chapter of Romans, 
 and further explained to her how she was held 
 under the power of sin, and the curse of the 
 broken law. His visits e •£ rep iate 1 several 
 times without any apparent success; and, 
 being greatly concerned lest she should perish 
 without an interest in the Saviour, his visits 
 were repeated more frequently, and he spent 
 much time in secret prayer on her behalf. At 
 length, it pleased the Lord to open her eyes, 
 and to turn her from darkness unto light, when 
 she became greatly concerned about her soul ; 
 her guilt pressed heavily upon her, and she 
 cried out, "O Lord, I am oppressed; under- 
 take for me!" Shortly before her death, when 
 he entered the room, she took his hands in 
 hers, and said, "God bless you, my dear sir, 
 for all your attention to me. You have been 
 
184 MEMOIR OF 
 
 the means of saving my soul. Farewell; I 
 am going to my Father's house. Blessed be 
 his holy name, he has pardoned all my sins. 
 When you first visited me, and told me of my 
 sinful state, you made me tremble, though I 
 could not see the justice of your remarks; but, 
 blessed be his holy name, he has not only 
 showed me my sins, but he has washed them 
 in redeeming blood." The remainder of this 
 account must be given in his own words: — 
 
 " Wednesday, — This was indeed a day of 
 the Son of Man. She seemed delighted as I 
 entered; and, having helped her to a little 
 drink, she took me by the hand, and began to 
 converse with such freedom, as both delighted 
 and astonished me. 'I have no hope,' she 
 said, ' but in Him that died on the cross. O 
 no, no, no! none but Jesus could pardon me. 
 He has done it; and, blessed be his name, he 
 is a Saviour of sinners, yea, the vilest of them. 
 There is none other name given under heaven 
 whereby they can be saved. Glory, glory be 
 to his dear name. O sir, Jesus Christ is 
 everything; none but he could do sinners good. 
 May he bless you, and bless your instructions 
 to my children.' I now entreated her to be 
 silent, as I was sure her weak frame could not 
 jong support such exertion. 'No, no,' she 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 185 
 
 said, ' I must speak of Jesus; I love to speak 
 of him, for he has saved my soul;' and she 
 thus went on, until nature at length became 
 exhausted, and her tongue could no longer 
 discharge the office which her grateful heart 
 was still desirous it should perform. Having 
 read the 103d Psalm, and engaged in prayer, 
 I bade her farewell; and went home, with my 
 heart glowing with gratitude and joy, having 
 witnessed one of the most delightful scenes 
 which can possibly interest the heart of a 
 Christian. Never in my life did I have the 
 gospel preached to me with such force and 
 power, as it was by this poor emaciated crea- 
 ture. On Sunday morning, at seven o'clock, 
 I was sent for, as it was thought her departure 
 was then at hand. 'A few minutes,' said I, 
 ' and you will be at your Father's house. ' She 
 moved her lips, as if desirous of speaking; but 
 the power of utterance was for ever gone. I 
 asked her if Jesus was still precious to her 
 soul; if so, to lift up her hand; which she 
 immediately did. I called again at twelve 
 o'clock, and found her still in the body. I 
 spoke to her of the presence of Christ in the 
 valley of the shadow of death, and asked her 
 if she still felt him near, and if so, again to 
 hold up her hand; she accordingly held it up. 
 16* 
 
186 MEMOIR OF 
 
 and waved it in a kind of triumph. I visited 
 her again at a quarter to two, and just as I 
 entered the room, her happy spirit departed." 
 In August, 1834, he was sent for to 'visit a 
 dying man, near to the school; and, as usual, 
 asked him if he had been in the habit of 
 attending the means of grace? "Yes," he 
 replied, "I am a churchman; and was in the 
 habit of attending the church, until I heard 
 that the parson had a great salary, while the 
 poor curate, who did all the work, had but 
 little. I then left, and read my Bible at home, 
 as I knew as much as the parson could tell 
 me." Mr. C. visited him constantly for three 
 weeks, when light began to break in upon his 
 mind, and he was at length convinced that his 
 righteousness was as filthy rags. A little 
 halfpenny book, entitled, "The Cloud, look 
 beyond it," was given to him, which afforded 
 him much support and consolation, and was 
 the theme of his conversation for several days. 
 Being asked what his soul breathed after most, 
 during his wearisome days and nights, he 
 made a long pause, and then said, " It breathes 
 after a solid holiness of heart. I want sin out 
 of me." On the day of his decease, Mr. 
 Cranfield says, "I visited him about noon, 
 and seeing he could not continue many hours 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 187 
 
 I said, ' You are walking in the dark vale of 
 death. Are you looking beyond the cloud?' 
 His answer was, with a low voice, 'I am 
 looking through the cloud.' These were his 
 last words to me. I asked him if he found his 
 mind supported by the word and the Spirit of 
 God? He gave me his hand, with a sign that 
 it was. After prayer, seeing his mouth 
 parched, I went to procure him a little jelly; 
 but, before I returned, his soul was departed, 
 I hope, to be with Jesus." 
 
 The last case selected, is one that made so 
 powerful an impression on his own mind, that 
 he could scarcely think on any other subject 
 for weeks afterwards. It shall be given in his 
 own language: — 
 
 "I was called upon to visit a poor man, who 
 had been confined to his room six weeks, and 
 was supposed to be dying. The moment I 
 was introduced, he sprang out of bed, and 
 earnestly seized my hand, as though I had 
 been an angel from heaven. His whole 
 appearance was truly appalling; his hair stood 
 up like one that was in the utmost state of 
 alarm. His lips quivered, his knees trembled, 
 and agony and despair were strongly expressed 
 in his countenance. I begged of hirn to be 
 composed, and to re-enter his bed; he seated 
 
188 MEMOIR OF 
 
 r 
 
 himself on the side of it, and, in a state o 1 
 distraction, cried out, 'O, the burning lake! 
 the burning lake!' I requested him to be 
 silent, and to hear what I had to say ; but he 
 paid no attention to me, and continued to 
 vociferate, 'O, the burning lake! — I saw their 
 horrid countenances, and they told me that I 
 should be there, and remain for ever and ever!' 
 He again grasped my hand, and, gnashing 
 with his teeth, continued to utter similar 
 expressions. Dreadful as w T as this scene, I 
 still pressed the man to hear me, if it was only 
 for one moment, as I had good news to tell 
 him; but all was in vain; he still continued to 
 cry, 'O, the burning lake! I am the vilest 
 sinner that ever lived! I shall go there, and 
 be lost for ever!' 'Will you,' said I, at 
 length, with great earnestness, ' hear me just 
 for one moment, or not? ' He then said, 
 * Well, sir, I will hear you,' and for a moment 
 ceased. Seizing the opportunity, I said to 
 him, 'Look on me, and listen to what I am 
 about to say: — The blood of Jesus Christ 
 cleanseth from all sin.' He looked at me with 
 attention, and replied, 'But I am the greatest 
 sinner that ever existed! ' ' O,' said I, ' I will 
 challenge you upon that score. I have been a 
 soldier, and you know that soldiers in general 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 189 
 
 are very wicked; I have been a blasphemer.' 
 'So have I,' said the man. 'I have been a 
 persecutor.' 'So have I.' 'I have,' said I, 
 1 set at nought God himself, and would, if I 
 could, have pulled him from his throne. Nay, 
 I have been so alarmed on account of my sin, 
 that I have been afraid the ground would open 
 its mouth and swallow me up; but I obtained 
 mercy, and so may you.' The man now 
 ceased to reply; and I went on for about an 
 hour, showing him, from God's word, his 
 readiness to forgive. But the word seemed 
 to make no impression on his mind; and after 
 prayer I took my leave, having promised to 
 visit him again. As I bade him farewell, he 
 looked at me very earnestly, and said, ' I shall 
 be dead, sir, before you see me again.' At 
 six o'clock, I repeated my visit, and he 
 appeared to be in the same state of mind, 
 crying out that he should go to the lake. 
 Since I had called in the morning, the Rev. 
 Mr. Stevenson had visited him, but without 
 any apparent success. After some conversa- 
 tion, I told him that I would go home, and 
 pray for him, but that, at the same time, he 
 must pray for himself. He replied that he 
 could not pray. I then asked him as a favor, 
 to say these words: — 'God be merciful to me 
 
190 MEMOIR OF 
 
 a sinner,' and to keep on saying them until 
 God should answer him, and pardon his sins. 
 I returned home, with my mind deeply im- 
 pressed with the awful scene I had witnessed. 
 I retired to bed, but could not sleep; and I 
 may say, that I continued nearly the whole of 
 the night in prayer to God for him. In the 
 morning, at nine o'clock, I hastened to the 
 house again, not expecting to find him alive; 
 but, behold, I saw him below stairs, ' clothed, 
 and in his right mind,' with the Bible on his 
 knees. I looked, and looked again, and with 
 astonishment said, 'Am I deceived?' He 
 answered, ' No; it is I. O, sir, I have had 
 such a comfortable night as I never experi- 
 enced before. I have lost the burden; blessed 
 be God, here I am, w r ith my precious Bible.' 
 He then broke out with these words: — 'And 
 they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in 
 that day when I make up my jewels; and I 
 will spare them, as a man spareth his own son 
 that serveth him.' 'Where,' said I, 'did you 
 find that blessed scripture?' 'Here,' he 
 replied, pointing to Malachi 3: 17, 'in my 
 precious Bible.' After some delightful con- 
 versation, I engaged in prayer, and again 
 took my leave; and the next day he went into 
 the country for the benefit of his health, and I 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 191 
 
 saw him no more; for very soon after his 
 arrival at the place of his destination, he died." 
 Being extremely anxious to learn his dying 
 testimony, Mr. C. wrote to the minister who, 
 he understood, had attended him in his last 
 moments, from whom he received the following 
 reply: — 
 
 * Clay, Jan. 28th, 1835. 
 
 "Dear Sir, — I am sorry so much time has 
 elapsed, with your letter unanswered. I was 
 from home when it came, it being the Christ- 
 mas vacation, and this is the first opportunity 
 I have had since its termination. I saw Mr. 
 W. but once since his last visit into the 
 country, when I found him exceedingly ill, 
 extremely ebilitated, and almost suffocated 
 with phlegm. He referred to the circumstance 
 you mention, but it was in broken sentences; 
 and I could not understand it so fully from him 
 as from your letter; but when I read your's to 
 his mother, she said it was a just description 
 of what he had told her. When I saw him, 
 he seemed overwhelmed with a sense of his 
 deep depravity, enormous guilt, and great 
 unworthiness; and attributed it to divine long- 
 suffering alone, that he was not then with the 
 devil and his angels; and was frequently cry- 
 
192 MEMOIR OF 
 
 ing for mercy. I believed him to be a sincere 
 penitent, for he expressed himself as having a 
 knowledge of salvation by the remission of 
 sins. In this state I left him, and saw him no 
 more." 
 
 In 1832, Mr. Cranfield, at the request of 
 several of his friends, resigned the office of 
 Superintendent of the Mint Sabbath school 
 into the hands of Mr. John Smith, one of the 
 teachers there, and employed his time on the 
 Sabbath, during the intervals of worship, in 
 visiting the various schools connected with the 
 Society, and watching the progress of the 
 cause of God in the Lodging-house. 
 
 In 1833, Mr. C. was much affected by the 
 death of his friend and pastor, Mr. Hill. When 
 intelligence was brought to him of the venera- 
 ble saint's entrance into his rest, he clasped 
 his hands together, and cried, "My father, my 
 father! Ah," he continued, as his eyes filled 
 with tears, "he is gone, and I only am left of 
 all the early friends of the Southwark Sabbath 
 School Society. God grant that like him, I 
 may be faithful to the end, and die gloriously 
 in the field." After the death of Mr. Hill, the 
 church being without a settled pastor, he 
 joined the congregation of the Rev. John 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 193 
 
 Arundel, to whose ministry he was greatly 
 attached. 
 
 When the cholera, in 1833, appeared in 
 London, it made frightful ravages among the 
 inhabitants of the Mint; and Mr. C. was called 
 out at all hours of the day and night. It is 
 believed by his family, that he did not visit less 
 than fifty persons who were afflicted with this 
 dreadful disease, most of whom were objects 
 of great wretchedness; and he obtained con- 
 siderable sums from his friends for their relief. 
 Some of these poor creatures died happy in 
 the Lord; but many, it is feared, departed into 
 eternity, without experiencing that change of 
 heart, without which no man can see the Lord. 
 One person whom he visited, was an old schol- 
 ar, who had been connected with one of the 
 leading infidels in London, and had imbibed 
 his principles. The sight of Mr. C. seemed 
 to increase his anguish: the powerful addresses 
 he had heard him deliver, came to his mind, 
 and filled him with unutterable despair. "I 
 know, sir," said he, "that you will stand at 
 the bar of God, as a witness against me; but it 
 is now too late to repent." All the endeavors 
 of his old teacher to bring him to Christ were 
 unavailing; he died full of enmity to God, and 
 cursing the miserable day on which he had 
 17 
 
194 MEMOIR OF 
 
 received existence. The mind of Mr. C. was 
 greatly affected at this incident; and he made 
 frequent use of it in warning young persons 
 from associating with those who avoid all con- 
 cern for a never-ending hereafter. 
 
 In April, 1834, Mr. C. was called to resign 
 his wife into the hands of him from whom he 
 had received her. She was a humble, unob- 
 trusive Christian. She seldom left her home; 
 and her greatest earthly delight seemed to 
 consist in seconding her husband's efforts to 
 relieve the poor and friendless. Frequently, 
 for weeks together, she has sat up late at 
 night, watching the soup-kettle, and has re- 
 turned early in the morning, before the fire 
 was extinguished, to the same occupation. 
 Mr. C. bore up under this stroke of affliction, 
 with wonderful fortitude and resignation: he 
 sorrowed, indeed, but not as one that had no 
 hope. Three days after her death, he wrote 
 these words in his little memorandum-book: 
 "Oh, who can be a substitute for my dear 
 wife? My children are loving and kind, and 
 so are my friends — but they are not my wife." 
 And shortly after her funeral, he added, "I 
 have buried her at Collyers Rents, in the hope 
 of eternal life; and I trust shortly to lie by her 
 side, till the resurrection morn." 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 195 
 
 As he was now in his seventy-seventh year, 
 and required that care and attention, which it 
 was supposed could not be so satisfactorily 
 administered by strangers, each of his children, 
 who was in a situation to do so, offered him a 
 place under his roof, where he might spend the 
 evening of his days in comfort and peace. 
 This is mentioned merely to record his answer, 
 which is everyway characteristic of himself: — 
 "I feel obliged for your kindness; but as you 
 all live at a distance, you must excuse me 
 from accepting your invitation. What would 
 the poor infants do? Could I bear to see them 
 rambling about the streets, like sheep having 
 no shepherd? What would my poor and afflict- 
 ed neighbors do? and, above all, what should 
 I do? I should soon rust out, for want of some 
 active employment; and I am too old now to 
 break up fresh ground. No, no; let me con- 
 tinue in that sphere where I still may be made 
 useful; and let me die in the midst of those 
 with whom I have spent nearly half my exist- 
 ence. I desire to live no longer than I can 
 be made useful to them." Under these cir- 
 cumstances, it was thought advisable that his 
 daughter, who was then occupying a situation 
 in the family of the Rev. W. Ellis, should come 
 home, and attend upon her father, during the 
 
196 MEMOIR OF 
 
 remainder of his days, so that he might still 
 watch over the temporal and spiritual interests 
 of the poor, and exercise himself in his delight- 
 ful occupation of comforting those that were 
 cast down; of supplying the wants of the dis- 
 tressed, and of pointing them to that land of 
 happiness and peace, where sorrow and sighing 
 never enter, and tears are for ever wiped away. 
 
 "Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride, 
 And e'en his failings leaned to virtue's side 5 
 But in his duty prompt at every call, 
 He watched, and wept, he prayed, and felt for all : 
 And as a bird each fond endearment tries, 
 To tempt its new-fledged offspring to the skies ; 
 He tried each art, reproved each dull delay, 
 .Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way." 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 197 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 LAST YEARS, DEATH, AND FUNERAL OF MR. CRANFIELD. 
 
 When the evening sun finishes his daily 
 race, and appears to rest on the utmost verge 
 of the western sky, his beams not only become 
 milder and more glorious, but the radiant orb 
 seems to increase in magnitude; while his 
 lustre, darting horizontally on the verdant 
 fields and restless floods, produces a scene of 
 beauty and grandeur, deeply interesting to the 
 mind of the beholder. But, while his eyes are 
 gladdened with the mild splendor of the retir- 
 ing sun, something like a regret steals upon 
 his feelings, while reflecting that the object he 
 beholds will shortly retire from his view, in 
 order to distribute his inexhaustible beams 
 among countries and inhabitants of another 
 hemisphere. Such is the Christian, when 
 about to take his departure from this vale of 
 sorrow. His desires after God become in- 
 creased and enlarged: the graces of the 
 Christian character shine forth in him with 
 more attractive splendor, and dignify, ennoble, 
 and elevate his mind. The consciousness of 
 17* 
 
198 MEMOIR OF 
 
 the nearness of his approach to the eternal 
 world, gives a sobriety to his thoughts, a 
 rationality to his anticipations; and his fellow- 
 travellers, being animated by the hopes which 
 he enjoys, are enabled to go on their way 
 rejoicing. So was it with Mr. Cranfield. 
 His sun, for some time previous to his depart- 
 ure, appeared evidently to be gradually going 
 down; and it was with delight that his friends 
 beheld him bringing forth fruit in extreme old 
 age. Though almost eighty years had passed 
 over his venerable head, yet his activity and 
 usefulness were maintained with a considerable 
 degree of his former animation, and he dif- 
 fused life and bliss through the circle of social 
 intercourse; while, by the force of his example, 
 as well as the purity of his doctrines, he led on 
 his friends to the verge of the celestial world. 
 After the death of his wife, being unable, at 
 times, through a complaint in one of his feet, 
 to visit those of his friends who lived at a 
 distance, he held a weekly prayer-meeting at 
 his own house, at which he delivered a short 
 exhortation, and invited his friends to give 
 their sentiments on the subject of his address. 
 These meetings were productive of much good; 
 they proved instrumental in the conversion of 
 some, and in producing a higher tone of spirit- 
 
THOMAS CRANF1ELD. 199 
 
 uality in the hearts of others; and many who, 
 like Hannah, came to the house of prayer with 
 their souls bowed down with a weight of sor- 
 row, went away with their countenances "no 
 more sad." It is impossible to describe the 
 interest which these meetings excited; the 
 room was generally crowded with the poor of the 
 neighborhood, and frequently his more affluent 
 friends would enliven the evening with their 
 presence and conversation. These meetings 
 were held every Friday, till his death, and 
 were commonly called by his friends "the 
 lifting nights." 
 
 In 1836, Mr. Cranfield hailed with delight- 
 ful satisfaction, the appointment of the Rev. 
 James Sherman to the pastoral charge of the 
 church at Surrey Chapel, and was among the 
 first to have his name re-enrolled among the 
 members. He lost no time in making known 
 to Mr. S. the state of the Southwark .Sabbath 
 School Society, which then consisted of twelve 
 schools, containing about two thousand six 
 hundred children, and also solicited his pat- 
 ronage for the infant school, in the Mint. Mr. 
 C. was much encouraged by the kind recep- 
 tion which he met, and, receiving afterwards a 
 visit from the Rev. Mr. S. at the school, he 
 was stimulated to increased exertions in his 
 useful and delightful employment. 
 
200 MEMOIR OF 
 
 In the summer of 1837, he was much pleased 
 by the opening of a large school in the Bo- 
 rough-road, which was built by the Southwark 
 Society, for the purpose of uniting two of their 
 schools in the neighborhood, then in a dilapi- 
 dated state. Almost every day he walked to 
 the spot to observe the progress of the building, 
 and often held spiritual converse with those 
 who, like himself, had come to witness the 
 operations of the workmen. A circumstance 
 occurred here one morning of so interesting a 
 character, that he returned home, and wrote 
 an account of it to Mr. Heward, the proposed 
 superintendent of the school. The following 
 is an extract from his letter: — 
 
 " June 13th, 1837. 
 
 "Dear Sir, — As I was reviewing the out- 
 side of the building in the Borough-road this 
 morning, at seven o'clock, a decent-looking 
 man came up to me, and mentioned my name. 
 I did not know him, but he informed me that 
 his name was Burns, and that it was near 
 thirty years since he first entered the Mint 
 school, being then about seven years of age. 
 His wife, and another relative, were then 
 scholars, with a youth named Wilson, all of 
 whom I recollect. It pleased the Lord, after 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 201 
 
 he left the school, to incline his mind to attend 
 the means of grace at the Wesleyan Chapel, 
 Lambeth, where, he trusts, he was savingly 
 called. Here he met with his school-fellow, 
 and married her, and both are members of the 
 same church. He informed me that Wilson, 
 after he left the school, attended Queen street 
 Chapel, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields. His parents 
 were unconverted; but the son being made 
 acquainted with his fallen state, and brought 
 to the knowledge of himself as a sinner, and 
 of the way of salvation by Jesus Christ, 
 eventually became a preacher of the gospel. 
 Wilson was now anxious for the salvation of 
 his parents, and requested Burns to use his 
 endeavors for the purpose of prevailing on 
 them to attend the chapel at Queen street. 
 This he did, and, with much difficulty succeed- 
 ed in his object; but what was the surprise of 
 the parents, on entering the chapel, to behold 
 their own son in the pulpit! His text was, 
 'By one man sin entered into the world,' &c. 
 It pleased the Lord to enable them to see and 
 feel the guilt and misery of sin, and to fly to 
 the Saviour. After the service, they returned 
 to Burns' house, and in about two hours the 
 son joined them. Burns says such a scene 
 followed as his eyes never before witnessed. 
 
202 MEMOIR OF 
 
 There was weeping and rejoicing together, 
 till a very late hour, and they experienced a 
 heaven of joy and love. Wilson is now a 
 missionary in Calcutta, preaching the gospel 
 among the heathen. This evening, my heart 
 was again gladdened by the information of a 
 young person being brought to the knowledge 
 of Christ through a prayer offered at the 
 school. This person has since died happy in 
 the Lord. 
 
 "I close this with my heart overpowered 
 with gratitude, from a consideration of what 
 my eyes and ears have seen and heard, of the 
 blessing of God on Sabbath school instruction. 
 When I first set out, Southwark and its vicinity 
 was a wilderness — the place of dragons. But 
 what do my eyes behold now? 'The wilder- 
 ness and desolate place is too narrow by 
 reason of its inhabitants.' 'Sing, O heavens, 
 and be joyful, O earth, and break forth into 
 singing, O mountains! 'Lift — lift — lift up 
 thine eyes round about, and, behold, all these 
 gather together and come to thee: (mark) 'As 
 I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe 
 thee with them all, as with a garment,' (nay) 
 ornament, 'and bind them on thee as a bride 
 doth.' O, for faith, to credit what the Lord 
 saith! I see that I am blundering on, but I 
 know to whom I am writing. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 203 
 
 "I close with the prayer and blessing of the 
 high priest — 'The Lord bless thee, and keep 
 thee; the Lord make his face to shine upon 
 thee, and be gracious unto thee; and lift up 
 his countenance upon thee, and give thee and 
 thine peace. "Thos. Cranfield." 
 
 As the day for opening the new school 
 approached, Mr. C. evinced uncommon ani- 
 mation, and sent round to a number of friends 
 an invitation to meet the teachers for 
 prayer on the occasion. In a wrapper con- 
 taining some particulars respecting the forma- 
 tion of the society, which he forwarded to Mr. 
 Heward, he makes the following remarks: — 
 
 "I understand it will be your endeavor to 
 bring up the ark into your building with prayer, 
 at six o'clock. A temple without the ark, 
 would be like a house without an inhabitant. 
 There is every thing, both in the structure 
 and furniture of our divine ark, that can 
 sanctify and beautify the school; and from this 
 ark alone, all future success must flow. May- 
 God own and accept your endeavors, and may 
 your meeting be attended with the manifesta- 
 tion of his glory! O, yes! it will; for those 
 who wait on the Lord in the ways of his 
 appointment, will surely receive tokens of his 
 special favor." 
 
204 MEMOIR OF 
 
 After the opening of the school, Mr. C. 
 requested to have a select class of elder boys 
 placed under his care; whom he might so in- 
 struct as to prepare them for the work of 
 Sabbath school teaching. His request was 
 granted, and, on entering upon this employ- 
 ment, he took each of his scholars on one 
 side, and explained to them, individually, the 
 object he had in view in selecting them from 
 the other boys, and informed them that it 
 was his intention to labor with them, and to 
 pray for each of them by name, till they all 
 were converted to God. This engage- 
 ment was fulfilled with delightful zeal and 
 solicitude up to the very last Sabbath he was 
 permitted to spend on earth: and there is 
 every reason to believe, that in one or two 
 instances, the Lord has already blessed those 
 labors, and answered those prayers. 
 
 The winter of 1837 being very severe, a 
 powerful appeal was made from the pulpit 
 by the Rev. J. Sherman, at Surrey Chapel, 
 for the relief of the poor; and large sums 
 were collected for their use. Mr. C. like- 
 wise obtained a considerable sum for the 
 same purpose; and though he acted, in some 
 measure, independently of the friends at Sur- 
 rey Chapel, yet they assisted him much in 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 205 
 
 his benevolent object. With the money he 
 thus obtained, he purchased rice, sago, and 
 potatoes; and distributed them among the poor 
 as they had need. 
 
 Strange as it may appear, at the very time 
 he was thus relieving the poor, it was ascer- 
 tained that he was a proper object for relief 
 himself. A friend having privately intimated 
 to Mr. Sherman that there was no doubt but 
 a pair of blankets would be acceptable 
 to Mr. Cranfield, Mr. S. lost no time in in- 
 quiring into the subject; and he found that 
 his information was correct, for Mr. C, a 
 short time previously, had given away part of 
 his bedding to a poor woman that was lying-in. 
 A pair of blankets were, therefore, instantly 
 voted by the committee at Surrey Chapel for 
 his use. 
 
 During the frosty weather, Mr. C. seldom 
 went from home after dark, but employed 
 himself in studying the Scriptures, writing 
 catechisms for his select class, and instructing 
 the lads occasionally at his own house. Much 
 of his time was likewise occupied in writing 
 short sentences on slips of paper, for the 
 edification of his friends. These he called 
 his "lottery tickets." He always carried a 
 considerable number with him in his pocket- 
 18 
 
206 MEMOIR OF 
 
 book; and at social parties, or friendly visits, 
 his friends were accustomed to draw one 
 from the packet, and take it home for private 
 meditation. The following are selected as 
 specimens of his tickets: — 
 
 "Dear friend, there is a large estate left 
 you. It is ratified, signed, and sealed. It 
 is certain, if you can make out your relation- 
 ship to the Testator, by a living faith. Are 
 you a son? Then you are a partaker of the 
 Divine nature, and have fellowship with the 
 Father and the Testator. You are raised 
 beyond your neighbors. You have already 
 entered on your estate. O, how powerful is 
 your interest and your prayers, in the gov- 
 ernment of the world. 'All things are yours, 
 ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's.' 
 
 "Pray for Thos. Cranfield." 
 
 "Dear friend, beware of steel-traps and 
 spring-guns. If you listen to the suggestions 
 of the creature, however disguised by fair 
 speech, rather than to the written commands 
 of God, you will be ensnared as sure as 
 you breathe. Resist the devil, and he will 
 flee from you. Remember how it fared with 
 your great-grandmother Eve. O, I tremble 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 207 
 
 for my young friends. Live close to God, 
 and you will be safe." 
 
 It frequently happened that the subject of 
 these papers was peculiarly adapted to the cir- 
 cumstances or state of mind of the individuals 
 receiving them. The following was drawn by 
 the driver of a cab, who in consequence of 
 his vehicle breaking down had spent the even- 
 ing at the prayer-meeting. 
 
 "Friend, you are invited to come in the 
 chariot of love with Jesus; he will manifest his 
 power and wealth, and will convey you to the 
 heavenly country. He will conquer all that 
 oppose. His promises are faithful and un- 
 changeable. You are safe, — there is no fear 
 of your falling out of his conveyance. In this 
 chariot, how sweetly, how safely, how quickly, 
 I ride to glory. Hasten the time, dear Lord." 
 
 The last one he wrote was to this effect: — 
 
 "Dear friend, admire the love of your 
 heavenly Father toward you, in that he laid his 
 Son on the altar on the first moment of his in- 
 carnation, Heb. 10: 5, continued him thereon 
 the whole of his life, and completed it on the 
 cross and in the grave. Isa. liii. Christ was 
 
208 MEMOIR OF 
 
 the great high Priest, Heb. 5: 5. Meditate on 
 this awful transaction; and pray for Thomas 
 Cranfield." 
 
 These little papers were held in such great 
 request, that the demand could scarcely be 
 supplied, even by the greater portion of his 
 leisure time. His application to this work at 
 length became so great, that he was afraid 
 it impeded his usefulness in other respects, 
 and he therefore determined on relinquishing 
 it. But one of his young friends having de- 
 scribed to him how greatly those written senti- 
 ments had been blessed to her soul, many of 
 which she had copied and distributed among 
 her friends, to whom also, in several instances, 
 they had been made a blessing, he resolved still 
 to continue this mode of conveying instruction, 
 but to confine the circulation of his papers to 
 his more intimate friends. 
 
 Some of the members of Surrey Chapel now 
 considering that, from his advanced age, and 
 the high esteem in which he was held by the 
 poor of the mint, he was calculated to be more 
 extensively useful, if his time were wholly em- 
 ployed in visiting and relieving the sick and 
 afflicted, formed the design of subscribing to- 
 gether, to allow him ten shillings per week, to 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 209 
 
 assist him in this object, on condition that he 
 would resign the charge of the infant school, 
 and devote himself entirely to it. The plan 
 being submitted to Mr. Sherman by the super- 
 intendent of the Mint school, it met with his 
 cordial approval, and by his kind assistance 
 it was speedily carried into effect. Mr. C, 
 however, felt some reluctance in leaving his 
 youthful flock, but under the circumstances he 
 considered it his duty to comply with the wishes 
 of his friends; and having taken an affectionate 
 leave of the dear little lambs, whom he promised 
 to visit occasionally at their own houses, he 
 employed the greater portion of the remainder 
 of his days in the delightful work of administer- 
 ing to the temporal and spiritual necessities of 
 the diseased and wretched. 
 
 In March, 1838, Mr. Cranfield completed his 
 eightieth year, the period which he often had 
 intimated his wish to behold, provided he might 
 continue till then useful to the church and the 
 world: and with the exception of his left hand, 
 which was considerably weakened, his frame 
 remained steady and his limbs strong, insomuch 
 that on errands of mercy he could generally 
 walk a mile in about twenty minutes. The 
 steadiness with which he wrote was remarked 
 by every one ; there was nothing in his hand- 
 18* 
 
210 MEMOIR OF 
 
 writing that would have led a stranger to sup- 
 pose that it was the performance of a man of 
 eighty. As was his physical, so was also his 
 mental and spiritual strength. It did not ap- 
 pear in the slightest degree impaired. His 
 zeal, his perseverance, his knowledge of the 
 Scriptures, his capacity for study, and his 
 aptitude in leading off in a strain of useful con- 
 versation at the social party, were as great 
 as ever. 
 
 In the following summer, his activity made 
 him a wonder to many. His general health 
 appeared to be much improved, and he was 
 unweariedly employed in doing good: omitting 
 no pains to alleviate the miseries of others, and 
 using his influence with his friends, not for the 
 advancement of himself or family, but to afford 
 succor to the afflicted members of the church of 
 Christ; though grace taught him to say, "Not 
 unto me, but unto thy name be the glory." 
 
 Many of his friends now urged him to keep 
 a diary of his experience and labors, but he 
 replied, that such a document would savor so 
 much of self, that he should commit it to the 
 flames if he should write it. After many en- 
 treaties, however, in which his family united, 
 he at length consented, but could not be induced 
 by any persuasions, to continue it more than a 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 211 
 
 week. His remarks on each day's proceedings 
 are so extended, that only an extract can be 
 given to the reader. 
 
 "Sabbath , June 17, 1838. — Arose this morn- 
 ing at three o'clock; feeling myself ill, retired 
 to bed again; arose at five, and after commu- 
 nion with my Protector, on behalf of myself, 
 family and friends, proceeded at seven o'clock 
 to Surrey Chapel in the spirit of prayer — par- 
 took of the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. I 
 found the presence of the Lord. — My soul more 
 refreshed than at any season for many years; 
 Mr. Sherman administered the ordinance, — re- 
 turned home, and at breakfast had a profitable 
 conversation. Read the seventh chapter of the 
 second book of Chronicles, — had a good time 
 in prayer. Went to the borough school, — met 
 with Messrs. Heward, Churchill, and others. 
 Mr. Churchill brought to my mind Boaz visit- 
 ing the reapers. I then proceeded to the Mint 
 school, — met Mr. Smith, and had some conver- 
 sation on the genealogies in the first book of 
 Chronicles, — then in the spirit of prayer went 
 to Union street Chapel, — heard a stranger, — a 
 most solemn sermon: 'What shall a man give in 
 exchange for his soul?' 'As ye go, preach.' 
 
 "On my way home, I passed through Red 
 cross street, — met an aged woman with two of 
 
212 MEMOIR OF 
 
 her grand-children. She asked me how I did. 
 I replied, In good health, and that I had heard 
 a solemn sermon about the value of the soul. 
 Her children were old scholars; they attend on 
 the means. As to herself, she appeared indif- 
 ferent about her soul. I left her with a word 
 of exhortation. After this, saw one of the pa- 
 rents standing at the shop door, exposing her 
 goods for sale; this woman has had twenty chil- 
 dren, who have all received their education at 
 the Mint school. I reproved her conduct, and 
 told her that it would be an awful thing if her 
 children should enter the kingdom of heaven, 
 and she herself should be shut out. I then 
 called upon a good woman, not seeing her at 
 chapel, — found her poorly, and spoke to her 
 about her soul. After dinner went to the 
 Lodging house. On the road, met a man and 
 his wife going to a prayer-meeting, — asked 
 them of the welfare of their souls, — found them 
 full of complaints. Came to the Mint school, 
 found things going on well. Arrived at the 
 Lodging house, — heard a good sermon by Mr. 
 Forsyth, from Jer. 50: 5. Went to the Mint 
 school, and addressed the children on the three- 
 fold office of Christ. Took tea at the Borough 
 road school, — there were about fifty present, — 
 Mr. Heward and myself addressed the company 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 213 
 
 about the soul. Returned home, — conversed 
 with my son upon the priestly office of Christ, 
 — catechized my grand-children, and closed the 
 evening with singing and prayer. This was 
 a good day, and profitable. 
 
 "Monday, 18th. — Arose before five o'clock. 
 After prayer, meditated on the book of Chron- 
 icles; may I be like the Kenites! — join in with 
 the children of God. Had a good time in family 
 prayer. After breakfast went to Westminster, 
 and on my return a decent woman accosted 
 me, who was an old scholar, thirty years back! 
 I spoke to her about her soul, but alas, the 
 world and its business had carried her away 
 after things that do not profit; — said to her, 'It 
 will not do, Elizabeth; Christ or damnation.' 
 She seemed convinced of the truth, but destitute 
 of the power to close in with the Saviour. She 
 was not happy in her mind, and said she fre- 
 quently thought of the instruction she had re- 
 ceived, and the prayer I had offered up for her. 
 — Met Mr. Grainger, another old scholar, and 
 talked with him. After tea, went to the prayer 
 meeting in Surrey Chapel, had a good time, — 
 met the teachers in the new school room, about 
 the rules. Returned home at ten. 
 
 " Tuesday. — Got up at five, much better, — 
 meditated again on the book of Chronicles, 
 
214 MEMOIR OF 
 
 twenty-third chapter. At prayer I had one of 
 the best seasons I ever enjoyed. I think I 
 never had such a view of the divine purity, and 
 the utter impossibility of our praises being re- 
 ceived without a change of nature; and even 
 then it must be with great condescension on 
 the part of God. O the value of the blood of 
 the Saviour! I was lost in the view, and my 
 mouth shut. Blessed be God for the books of 
 Chronicles. Visited Miss Fleming. In a good 
 frame of mind, — met one of the parents, he 
 seemed to be overcome with gratitude for my 
 attention to his son, of whom he is not a little 
 proud. Visited the Lodging house in the Mint, 
 — things are going on there as well as can be 
 reasonably expected. Went into the King's 
 Bench Prison, and visited Mrs. M., one of the 
 parents of three of my children. Mrs. M. has 
 been a prisoner twenty-six years, — still find 
 her mind dark as to the way of salvation by 
 Christ. She appears distressed on account of 
 having been persuaded by the minister of the 
 prison to partake of the Lord's Supper. Made 
 several other visits, and in the evening heard 
 Mr. Sherman upon the forgiveness of sin, and 
 the boundless love of God in its forgiveness. I 
 trust I came home profited. Had a visit to-day 
 from Mr. Beal. The conversation with him 
 and my son was spiritual and profitable. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 215 
 
 e< Wednesday. — Arose at five, in good health, 
 — had a good night, my cough not troublesome. 
 Took for my morning draught the first chapter 
 of* the first book of Chronicles. The descent 
 from Adam to Noah, a genealogy of about 1086 
 years. That was a most sinful generation. 
 Alas, how had the gold become dim! Death 
 reigned, through sin, from Adam to Noah. 
 What a nothing is my age and labor compared 
 to my forefathers! Let Enoch, who walked 
 with God, or rather Jesus, be my pattern. 
 These lessons I would learn from this chapter; 
 first, to be humble, — I sprung from Adam; 
 second, to love my neighbor as myself, being 
 of one blood ; third, how short are the years of 
 all generations compared with God and eter- 
 nity; fourth, how wonderfully trodden is the 
 path of death, — what multitudes are gone be- 
 fore me; fifth, how vast will be the assembly 
 in the great day, — not one be missing then. 
 After breakfast went into the city, — kept at 
 home in the afternoon, on account of the rain, 
 — took tea with some of the inmates of Mr. 
 Hill's lmshouses, — we had the presence of 
 God with us, and a most blessed season it was, 
 — closed with prayer. Went to Union street 
 Chapel, — heard a young man, from Matt, v, 
 'Blessed are they that mourn,' &c. My foot 
 
216 MEMOIR OF 
 
 was in great pain, so that I could scarcely walk 
 home without help, which I had from a good 
 woman whom I knew not, but was known to 
 her, — we had some profitable conversation. 
 
 " Thursday. — Arose before seven, — found 
 some difficulty in prayer. I seemed to be in a 
 strange frame, owing, I suppose, to my increas- 
 ing infirmities, but these must not prevail over 
 the new man of the heart. Meditated on the 
 second chapter of Chronicles again, and had 
 new light, verse five. How rare to find four 
 brothers in a family distinguished for wisdom 
 and grace! God seems to take pleasure in 
 exalting the low, and abasing that which is 
 high. At family worship, read the second 
 chapter of the second book of Chronicles. 
 May I prefer the house of God and his church 
 to my own accommodation! Whatever I do 
 for God, is unworthy of his regard. I had a 
 good time in prayer, with strong desires after 
 God, and complete conformity to his image. I 
 desire to put all my affairs into his hands. 
 
 "Friday — After dinner, visited Miss Abra- 
 hams. Had along and delightful conversation 
 with her mother, upon the subject of living by 
 faith on Christ and his promises. I was then 
 introduced to her daughter, who was lying on 
 her back, in which posture she had continued a 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 217 
 
 long time, being afflicted with a spinal affection. 
 Her mind appeared calm, and she seemed to 
 enjoy much of the presence of God; drank tea 
 with her, and in the evening returned home, 
 and conducted our weekly prayer-meeting. 
 Our subject was, the love of God. O, what 
 love is this, that I should be regenerated, 
 adopted into his family, and made an heir of 
 himself and all the blessings of the new cove- 
 nant. O, who can conceive the excellency of 
 their station, or the full glory that is annexed 
 to it! May I have the witness of the Spirit 
 that ere-long I shall be like him, — may this 
 consideration powerfully influence me to the 
 study of holiness of heart and life. We enjoyed 
 a good season. 
 
 "Saturday. — Arose at seven o'clock, but, 
 owing to the pain in my foot, did not go out 
 the whole of the day. My mind somewhat 
 calm, and had great enjoyment in family prayer. 
 Studied the fifth chapter of the second book of 
 Chronicles. Here we have an account of 
 Reuben, who lost his birthright. How does 
 sin degrade man, and what reason have I to 
 be humble before God for his sparing mercy! 
 One false step often leaves an indelible stain 
 on the memory, — witness Noah, Lot, Judah, 
 Pavid, and others. How pregnant is sin with 
 19 
 
218 MEMOIR OF 
 
 evil! how is it attended even with the greatest 
 mischief to our temporal as well as to our eter- 
 nal interest! They who are governed more 
 by sense than by faith, in their choice of their 
 settlement, find often, when it is too late, that 
 they have made a very disadvantageous selec- 
 tion." 
 
 These extracts, although only a small 
 portion of what he wrote in his diary, will 
 give the reader a general view of the manner 
 in which his time was every day employed. 
 
 As he traveled nearer and nearer to the 
 grave, his real ripening for glory was mani- 
 fested in his increasing spirituality of mind, 
 his humility, self-abasement and growing 
 estimation of his Lord and Saviour Jesus 
 Christ. He appeared conscious himself that 
 he was on the borders of eternity; and there 
 was a power and sweetness in his conversation 
 on the ineffable glories of the beatific vision, 
 and the wonders of redeeming grace, that 
 were peculiarly grateful to the feelings of his 
 Christian friends. To spend an evening with 
 him, was like heaven on earth. A glow of de- 
 light seemed to animate his countenance, as he 
 testified his confidence in God, his trust in his 
 promises, his love to the Saviour, his pantings 
 after a conformity to his image, and his bright 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 219 
 
 anticipations of that day when he should wake 
 in his likeness. 
 
 All his thoughts seemed now to centre in 
 heaven, and he could not bear to talk upon 
 any other than serious subjects. He engaged 
 in all his duties with an earnestness and solem- 
 nity, that manifested his apprehension that it 
 was the last time he should be so employed. 
 He always entertained the idea, that his 
 departure would be sudden, and was, therefore, 
 careful to carry some cards of address in his 
 pocket, whenever he went from home. Still 
 his mind was not gloomy ; on the contrary, he 
 was cheerful and lively, being full of delightful 
 hopes of a blissful immortality. 
 
 About six weeks previous to his decease, he 
 attended at the chapel in Collyer's Rents, and 
 heard the Rev. Mr. Hunt. After the service, 
 he retired to the burial-ground, and, standing 
 by the grave where his wife lay, and where he 
 intended to be buried, he poured forth his 
 heart to God in prayer, that the address to be 
 given at his funeral might be made instrumental 
 in the conversion of many souls. So lost was 
 he in devotion on this occasion, that he appeared 
 to be insensible to every thing that was trans- 
 piring on earth, until he was interrupted by 
 the sexton, and given to understand that it was 
 time for him to retire. 
 
220 MEMOIR OF 
 
 At the old scholars' meeting in the Mint, 
 which took place a few days previous to his 
 decease, and at which the Rev. J. Sherman 
 presided, Mr. Cranfield was peculiarly solemn 
 and impressive; he told the scholars, that, in 
 all probability, it would be the last time he 
 should meet with them on earth, and charged 
 them before God to meet him at the right hand 
 of the Saviour. At this meeting, several per- 
 sons publicly declared that the instructions of 
 Mr. C. were made the means of leading them 
 to embrace the truth as it is in Jesus. A 
 respectable looking female, the mother of 
 eight daughters, all of whom had been educated 
 in the school, and most of whom were then 
 present with her, stood up and declared how 
 much she owed to him for the comfort and 
 happiness she enjoyed in seeing her children 
 walking in the truth. This was a scene which 
 angels might have witnessed with delight. Mr. 
 C. returned home with his heart filled with 
 gratitude for having been permitted thus to see 
 the fruits of his labor. "Who am I, O Lord," 
 he said, as he seated himself in his chair, 
 " and what am I, that thou shouldest be pleased 
 thus to honor me ? Now lettest thou thy ser- 
 vant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen 
 thy salvation." 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 221 
 
 At the meetings for the revival of religion, 
 at Surrey Chapel, in November, 1838, he was 
 a constant attendant, both before and after 
 breakfast. His feelings appeared to be greatly 
 excited, and he was observed to be more fre- 
 quent than ever at the throne of grace. If his 
 daughter went out on an errand, she generally, 
 when she returned, found him on his knees in 
 prayer; sometimes wrestling with God for a 
 blessing on those meetings, and, at other times, 
 praying that he might not have a name to live, 
 and be, at the same time, like the lifeless and 
 barren fig tree, fit only to be cut down and 
 cast into the fire. When the Rev. Mr. Kirk* 
 announced his intention of preaching to the 
 children of the Southwark Sabbath schools, he 
 spent the whole night in prayer that God 
 would make that sermon instrumental in the 
 conversion of the children. Towards the 
 morning he had about an hour's sleep, and 
 then rose to attend the seven o'clock prayer 
 meeting. 
 
 On the Friday preceding his decease, he 
 conducted his own prayer-meeting as usual, and 
 never was he more impressive; his voice was 
 
 "Rev. E. N. Kirk, now pastor of Mount Vernon Church, 
 Boston, Mass. 
 
 19* 
 
222 MEMOIR OF 
 
 as full and as strong as ever, and he displayed 
 an intensity of feeling, and spoke with an au- 
 thority and power, which led many present to 
 believe that his labors were about to termi- 
 nate. The fervor with which he repeated his 
 following favorite lines will perhaps never be 
 forgotten by them while memory holds her 
 office. 
 
 "Away, despair, my gracious Lord doth hear : 
 Though winds and waves assault my keel, 
 
 He doth preserve it ; he doth steer, 
 Even when the boat seems most to reel : 
 
 Storms are the triumph of his art ; 
 
 Well may he close his eyes, but not his heart/' 
 
 It was, indeed, good to be there. It appeared 
 to be "none other than the house of God, and 
 the gate of heaven." 
 
 On the following Sabbath, he arose before it 
 was light, and was heard as usual in prayer at 
 a very early hour. When his daughter came 
 into the room she observed, that she was afraid 
 that his getting up so early, while the weather 
 continued cold, would be attended with serious 
 consequences to himself. "I must get up 
 early," he replied; "see" — pointing to a list 
 of his friends, that was at the side of his bed, 
 for whom he was accustomed to pray every 
 mornin°: — " see what a deal of work I have to 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 223 
 
 do!" This list he was in the habit of renewing 
 occasionally, and it was headed in the following 
 manner: — 
 
 " Thomas Cranficld, — 'pray for ?«.' " 
 
 " Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear 
 My voice ascending high." 
 
 "First, — For my Son and Daughters, and their little 
 ones." 
 
 Then follow the pastors of Surrey and Union 
 street Chapels, with a list of twenty friends. 
 He attended public worship in the morning 
 at Mr. Arundel's, and in the afternoon at the 
 Lodging-house; he then took tea with the 
 teachers at Gravel-lane Sabbath school, where 
 his conversation was peculiarly edifying and 
 instructive. In endeavoring to impress on 
 their minds the importance of prayer, among 
 other things, he said, "The prayer of faith 
 can never be offered in vain. God will always 
 hear prayer, — I will take my oath of it." Mr. 
 Heward having announced that a tea-meeting 
 would be held on the following Sabbath, and 
 invited those present to attend, clapped Mr. C. 
 on the shoulder, and said, "I know my old 
 friend will be there." "No," he replied, " I 
 may be in eternity then." 
 
224 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Early on Monday, Nov. 26th, he was again 
 at the throne of grace, and seemed to enjoy a 
 peculiar flow of spirits. On washing himself, 
 he sang with a strong voice, as was his usual 
 custom, 
 
 " O wash my soul from every sin, 
 And make my guilty conscience clean." 
 
 He observed to his daughter, " I have a rare 
 week's work lo do. I have a great number of 
 friends to visit, and am going round the neigh- 
 borhood to canvass for scholars for the Borough 
 road school." After breakfast, having de- 
 signed to make a few visits on the other side 
 of the water, he folded up a bundle of tracts 
 for distribution on the road; and on putting on 
 his hat, he repeated, as he usually did every 
 morning, when about to leave his home, the 
 well-known lines, — 
 
 " Thy work with pleasure, O my God, 
 Again will I pursue : 
 And spread the savor of thy name, 
 Among a careless few." 
 
 The first person he called upon was a mem- 
 ber of Mr. Arundel's church, in the city, with 
 whom he had a long and delightful conversation. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 225 
 
 From thence he went to Hackney, and visited 
 a member of Dr. Cox's church, and also two 
 poor afflicted persons in the neighborhood. 
 To one of them he took a piece of meat, with 
 some herbs, to make her a little broth; and as 
 she could not assist herself, he put it in the 
 saucepan, and placed it on the fire for her. 
 From thence he proceeded to Hoxton, and 
 examined the children of a school there. 
 From this place he went to Smithfield, and 
 visited his youngest daughter. As he stood, 
 with his hat in his hand, ready to take his 
 departure from thence, he said, "I have been 
 living near to God all this day, and I wish, like 
 Enoch, so to walk with him, as that I may just 
 take one step into heaven. Do not be long 
 before you see me, for if you do, you will 
 come home, and find that your poor old father 
 has stepped into his rest." In the same calm 
 and happy frame he returned to his home, and 
 sat up late, conversing on the subject of the 
 atonement. "This is delightful employment," 
 he said, "I could sit up all night, and talk on 
 this subject, but it is our duty to rest our poor 
 bodies." 
 
 After retiring to rest, he seemed to sleep 
 soundly, and, to all appearance, was in perfect 
 health; but about four o'clock in the morning, 
 
226 MEMOIR OF 
 
 he awoke with a difficulty of breathing, and 
 knocked for his daughter. On her entering 
 the room, he said, "It is all over, my girl; I 
 am going home at last. The Lord grant me 
 strength and patience." On looking at his 
 countenance, she was greatly alarmed to find 
 it strangely altered, and asked him if she 
 should make a cup of coffee? "Do," he calmly 
 said; "but my work is done, and I am now, 
 blessed be God, going home at last." His 
 difficulty of breathing increasing, he reclined 
 his head upon her shoulder, and soon became 
 insensible. On the arrival of Mr. Newth, his 
 medical attendant, he was bled, and his senses 
 returned for about a quarter of an hour. Mr. 
 Newth asked if he should pray with him, 
 he replied, "Yes, do, by all means," and ad- 
 ded a hearty amen to every petition. Anxious 
 to know the state of his mind, his son, who had 
 by this time entered the room, said to him, " It 
 is a great mercy to have an earthly doctor, but 
 the heavenly Physician is he whose presence 
 is most desirable now." "That is it," he 
 replied, "that is it. He is everything." Not 
 knowing who it was that spoke to him, for his 
 eyes remained closed, he said, "Is my son 
 Richard in the room? " and, on being informed 
 that it was he who was talking with him, he 
 
THOMAS CRANF1ELD. 227 
 
 added, "The Lord bless you; the Lord place 
 underneath you his everlasting arms, and 
 support you through your trials. Dying is 
 hard work, my boy " — alluding to his difficulty 
 of breathing. He was then reminded of his 
 favorite lines — 
 
 " I can do all things, or can bear 
 All sufferings, if my Lord be there." 
 
 A smile instantly brightened up his features, 
 and he replied, "That is a truth; I know it, 
 both in the practice and experience of it." To 
 his daughter and medical attendant he said, 
 "You have done what you can, and I thank 
 you; but," he added, with a significant shake 
 of the head, "it will not do; no, it will not 
 do:" and on their endeavoring to raise his 
 head a little higher, in order to relieve his 
 breathing, he said, with a smile, "Ah, you may 
 prop, but it will not do." Shortly afterwards, 
 he added, with a glow of sacred delight, "A 
 
 few more sighs, and then ." 
 
 These words, though spoken in a strong tone 
 of voice, interrupted only by the accumulation 
 of phlegm, were the last that he uttered; for 
 immediately afterwards, he fell into a kind of 
 sound slumber, in which he continued until the 
 evening of the following day, when, without 
 
228 MEMOIR OF 
 
 the slightest struggle or motion of any kind, 
 he suddenly ceased to breathe, and his spirit 
 winged its way to those mansions of eternal 
 light and glory, "where the sun no more goes 
 down, nor the moon withdraws herself; where 
 the Lord is his everlasting light, and the days 
 of his mourning are ended." A solemn and 
 painful silence ensued, till it was at length 
 broken by his eldest daughter, who, in hurried 
 and stifled accents, seeking relief from her 
 own overpowered feelings, exclaimed, "We 
 have no father now!" But the strong con- 
 viction that he was rejoicing amidst the glories 
 of the unseen world, was felt by all, and greatly 
 relieved the anguish of their souls. 
 
 In contemplating his peaceful departure, we 
 may exclaim with the poet, — 
 
 " How calm his exit . 
 Night-dews fall not more gently to the ground. 
 Nor weary worn out winds expire so soft. 
 Behold him in the evening-tide of life, — 
 A life well spent, whose early care it was 
 His riper years should not upbraid his green. 
 By unperceived degrees he wears away, 
 Yet, like the sun, seems larger at its setting. 
 High in his faith and hope, look how he reaches 
 After the prize in view, and, like a bird 
 That 's hampered, struggles hard to get away. 
 
 O how he longs 
 
 To have his passport signed, and be dismissed. 
 ; Tis done, and now he's happy." 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 229 
 
 During the two days that he lay ill, many 
 members of Surrey Chapel, Union street, and 
 other congregations, came to take a final fare- 
 well of their dying friend: all were admitted, 
 without distinction, to witness his peaceful end ; 
 but as he was unconscious of their presence, 
 they could do no more than gaze upon his 
 happy countenance, and join in prayer for his 
 easy dismission from his earthly tabernacle. 
 "Mark the perfect man, and behold the up- 
 right," involuntarily burst from the lips of 
 almost every visiter; " for the end of that man 
 is peace." Thus died this aged servant of 
 Christ, who, for fifty-five years, was unwea- 
 riedly employed in doing good. 
 
 " Burning with love to souls 
 Unquenchable, and mindful still of his 
 Great change and vast responsibility/' 
 
 he appeared to live for no other purpose than 
 to promote the present and eternal happiness 
 of his fellow-men. 
 
 The report of his death was soon spread 
 through the neighborhood, and, though it 
 excited but little astonishment, yet, when it 
 was announced, it gave a sudden shock to 
 almost every mind. He had endeared himself 
 to his neighbors and friends by so many acts 
 20 
 
230 MEMOIR OF 
 
 of kindness, that they wept for him as for a 
 father; and even those who were enemies to 
 God by wicked works, concurred in paying a 
 just tribute to his memory. From the period 
 of his death till the time of his interment, 
 upwards of six hundred persons came to take 
 a last view of the venerable saint; and of these, 
 it is supposed, that not less than from two to 
 three hundred declared that they had received 
 some benefit from his labors to their souls. 
 The expressions of regret and sorrow that 
 were uttered by these numerous visiters, were 
 truly affecting. One, drawing back her shawl, 
 would show the garment that he had obtained, 
 for her decent appearance at the house of God; 
 and another would tell the tale of distress, 
 from which his benevolence had rescued her. 
 
 " I was hungry," said one, " and he fed me. 
 Oftentimes should I have gone without a dinner, 
 if he had not supplied me with rice and sago." 
 "Ah," repeated a second, 'I shall never for- 
 get him; I invited him to spend an hour at my 
 house, and he turned his visit into a prayer 
 meeting, which has been continued ever since." 
 "I was in prison," said a third, "and he 
 visited me. When confined in the Marshalsea, 
 I wrote that passage on a piece of paper, and 
 sent it to him; and before the messenger could 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 23 1 
 
 return, he was at my side. The moment he 
 entered my room, he asked for my Bible; on 
 telling him that I had none with me, he imme- 
 diately went out and purchased one, and then 
 gave me his spectacles, to assist me in reading 
 it. These spectacles I have now in my pos- 
 session, and will never part with them while I 
 live. The Bible was given, at his own request, 
 to a prisoner whom I left behind, and is pre- 
 served by him with the greatest care." Most 
 persons had something to tell respecting his 
 deeds of mercy, and all united in saying, "I 
 have lost a friend." 
 
 On Wednesday, Dec. 5th, 1838, his mortal 
 remains were conveyed to Collyer's Rents 
 burial-ground, followed by a multitude of 
 weeping friends. The teachers of the Mint 
 school, in which he had labored for so many 
 years, claimed the privilege of bearing his 
 pall; and those of the other schools seemed to 
 vie with each other in exhibiting their respect 
 for his memory. 
 
 The funeral procession, followed by a vast 
 concourse of spectators, proceeded in the 
 following order: — 
 
 Porters. 
 
 Two old Female Teachers. 
 
 Fifty Girls. 
 
 Two Female Teachers. 
 
232 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Two Male Teachers. 
 
 Thirty Boys. 
 
 Two Male Teachers. 
 
 Two Female Teachers. 
 
 Forty Girls. 
 
 Two Male Teachers. 
 
 Two Female Teachers. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Sherman and Rev. Mr. Arundel. 
 
 Treasurer of the Society — Oldest Superintendent. 
 
 An Elder of Surrey Chapel — Medical Attendant. 
 
 p Two Porters. '-a 
 
 g g Three Stewards & $ 
 
 ja | (Of a Benefit Society established by the bj § 
 
 § W Deceased.) $ if 
 
 £j^ THE BODY. g g 
 
 p^ Relations of the Deceased. 3 "" 
 
 Teachers of Surrey Chapel School. 
 
 Teachers of Kent street. 
 
 Teachers of the Mint. 
 
 Teachers of Borough. 
 
 Teachers of Borough road. 
 
 Teachers of Castle-yard. 
 
 Teachers of Dockhead. 
 
 Teachers of Jurston street. 
 
 Teachers of Bond street. 
 
 Teachers of County-terrace. 
 
 Teachers of Gravel -lane. 
 
 Long Train of Friends. 
 
 The body was taken into the meeting-house, 
 which was immediately filled, and hundreds 
 went away unable to gain admission. After 
 an appropriate hymn, the Rev. J. Arundel 
 offered up a very suitable prayer, and the Rev. 
 J. Sherman addressed the friends and specta- 
 tors from the words, "Our friend Lazarus 
 sleepeth." The address excited intense inter- 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 233 
 
 est. It was marked with deep pathos, and 
 faithful and affectionate admonition. After 
 concluding with prayer, the body was removed 
 to the ground, and deposited in the grave till 
 the resurrection. After a few observations 
 from Mr. He ward, made at the request of the 
 deceased, Mr. Cranfield's select class of youth 
 sung an appropriate hymn, and the Rev. Mr. 
 Sherman prayed, and pronounced the bene- 
 diction. The ground was crowded to excess, 
 and the lamentations of the poor were as the 
 mourning of the Canaanites at the burial of 
 the patriarch Jacob. 
 
 On the following Sabbath, several sermons 
 were preached, to improve his death. In the 
 morning, the Rev. J. Arundel delivered a 
 deeply interesting and instructive discourse, 
 to a crowded audience from Isaiah 46: 4; 
 "And even to your old age I am he, and even 
 to hoar hairs will I carry you; I have made, 
 and I will bear; even I will carry, and deliver 
 you/' In the afternoon, at the Mint school, a 
 friend discoursed from Gen. 46: 1; "Behold, 
 I die." The same afternoon, at the Lodging- 
 house, the inmates were addressed by two 
 friends, from Phil. 1: 21, and Ps. 12: 1, 2, 3. 
 In the evening, at Surrey Chapel, the Rev. 
 J. Sherman preached from 2 Cor. 6: 10; 
 20* 
 
234 MEMOIR OF 
 
 "Poor, yet making many rich." This text 
 was most judiciously selected, and the sermon, 
 which has since been published by Mr. S., was 
 listened to throughout with the most profound 
 attention. During the service, Pope's cele- 
 brated ode of "The Dying Christian to his 
 Soul," and Martin Luther's Hymn, were sung, 
 by the immense assembly, with the most thrill- 
 ing effect. The chapel was crowded at an 
 early hour, and vast numbers, many of whom 
 came from a considerable distance, were dis- 
 appointed at not being able to gain admission. 
 The same evening, an agent of the Surrey 
 Chapel Christian Instruction Society, preached 
 from Phil. 1 : 21, at the Mint school, the pulpit 
 of which was hung with black cloth. 
 
 Such were the respect and sympathy mani- 
 fested upon the removal of this devoted man 
 to his last earthly home. "The memory of the 
 just is blessed," says the wise man; and never 
 was the truth of this Scripture more clearly 
 and interestingly illustrated than at the funeral 
 of Thomas Cranfield. May those devoted men 
 who have entered into his labors, imitate his 
 zeal, and, like him, adopt the maxim of the 
 apostle — "Whether we live, we live unto the 
 Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the 
 Lord: whether we live, therefore, or die, we 
 are the Lord's." 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 235 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE PERSON AND CHARACTER OF MR. CRANFIELD. 
 
 Having sketched the principal incidents 
 connected with the life and death of Mr. 
 Cranfield, it would, perhaps, be desirable 
 to give a more detailed description of such 
 features in his character as have only been 
 slightly portrayed in the foregoing chapter. 
 
 In his person he was, in his younger days 
 tall and commanding, though, towards the end 
 of his life, his stature was somewhat diminished, 
 by reason of ''the strong men bowing them- 
 selves," as well as of a slight bend in his 
 figure. He was stout and strongly built, 
 though by no means corpulent; and his coun- 
 tenance, even in his old age, was open, florid, 
 full of benignity, and altogether prepossessing. 
 Several persons have declared to his family, 
 that they loved him the first time they saw him, 
 because he looked so amiable and happy. 
 This respect and attachment were always 
 increased upon further acquaintance, as he 
 was affable, obliging, complacent, and seldom 
 conversed without some good object in view. 
 
236 MEMOIR OF 
 
 He was a man of extraordinary courage and 
 intrepidity. He appeared to be void of fear, 
 and often entered into places where few would 
 like to follow him. One day, being in the 
 Mint canvassing for scholars, he found a family 
 living on the wages of iniquity, furnished by 
 two daughters, one nine, and the other eleven, 
 years of age. He invited them to come to the 
 school, to which they seemed inclined, but the 
 mother positively refused her permission. Mr. 
 C, stung with indignation at the conduct of 
 the woman, cried out, "What! are not your 
 children going to hell fast enough, that you 
 must drive them there?" and though there 
 were two stout men in the room, he lifted up 
 his hand to the woman, and said, "Woe be 
 to you, madam, if you do not let your chil- 
 dren go to the Sabbath school." Such was 
 his energy, and such his indignant look, that 
 the men stood mute with astonishment; the 
 woman trembled, and, to the surprise of even 
 Mr. C. himself, the children were afterwards 
 sent to the school. 
 
 Wherever he had to travel, he always took 
 the shortest road however lonely or dangerous, 
 and the fears of his family were thereby con- 
 stantly excited on his behalf. About the year 
 1793, when proceeding through a dark narrow 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 237 
 
 lane, near Holywell Mount, he was met by a 
 highwayman, who presented a pistol at his 
 head; but Mr. C, previously guessing his 
 intention, had prepared himself for the attack, 
 and going boldly up to the man, hastily seized 
 his arm, before he could fire upon him, he, 
 by a single stroke, leveled him to the ground, 
 and scattered the pistols to a distance. See- 
 ing his antagonist fall, and judging that no 
 benefit could arise from any further contest, 
 he passed from him at full speed, and then 
 challenged him to overtake him if he could. 
 At another time, returning from Barking, with a 
 considerable sum of money in his possession, 
 he discovered two men with pistols secreting 
 themselves in a hedge. He immediately com- 
 mended himself into the hands of God, and 
 these words came into his mind — "He shall 
 give his angels charge concerning thee, to 
 keep thee." He then went fearlessly towards 
 the hiding-place, crying out, "Come on, Tom! 
 come on, Bob!" as though he had several com- 
 panions with him; but before he could get to 
 the spot, he saw the robbers making their 
 escape. 
 
 In his younger days, he was a man of extra- 
 ordinary strength; his muscular powers were 
 so great, that, upon an emergency, he has sup- 
 
238 MEMOIR OF 
 
 ported a weight which six ordinary men could 
 not, without great difficulty, sustain; and yet 
 so far from priding himself upon his astonishing 
 powers of body, he never was known to make 
 it a subject of conversation, either at home or 
 abroad. 
 
 Notwithstanding his strength, Mr. C. was 
 accustomed to endiwe injuries with great pa- 
 tience and forbearance. Once, when a man 
 was wrongfully insulting him, and drawing his 
 character in most odious colors, he calmly 
 said to him, "Well, I am exceedingly obliged 
 to you for the very good opinion you have of 
 me; but if you try your utmost you cannot 
 paint my character so black as it is." At 
 another time, a thief having entered his house, 
 and stole some trifling articles, he, not knowing 
 what it was that the thief had taken, pursued 
 and overtook him. As the magistrates were 
 then sitting at Union-hall, he took him straight 
 to the office, and the offender was about to be 
 committed for trial, when Mr. C. relented, and 
 begged for some mild punishment. He was 
 then remanded for a short time, and Mr. C. 
 visited him in gaol, supplied him with some 
 food, and, on the third day of his confinement, 
 procured his discharge, and gave him half-a- 
 crown. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 239 
 
 Humility was a distinguishing feature in the 
 character of Mr. Cranfield. "Humility," says 
 an elegant writer, "is the sweetest and fairest 
 flower that grows in the breast, and perfumes 
 the owner with the most attractive sweets." 
 How delightfully were its beauties displayed in 
 him, and how extensively were its influences 
 felt and acknowledged. Hence arose that love 
 and respect which was so universally enter- 
 tained for him. It has been often remarked 
 by his friends, that scarcely any person could 
 be an hour in his company without loving him; 
 yet no one could be more loud in the con- 
 demnation of himself, or speak in stronger 
 terms of the pride of his own heart. The acute 
 sense he had of the evil of sin greatly cherished 
 this feeling of humility : for in proportion to the 
 views we have of the majesty and holiness of 
 God, of our dependence upon him, and our 
 obligations to him, as creatures, our conduct 
 and disposition towards him as sinners, com- 
 bined with a sense of his pardoning love, and 
 our acceptance in the beloved, will be the 
 measure of our humility. In Mr. Cranfield 
 these views were strong and habitual, and that 
 humble, contrite frame of spirit, in which the 
 Lord delights, seemed almost as natural to 
 him as his breathing. It is easy to say, "I am 
 
240 MEMOIR OF 
 
 a poor unworthy creature;" but the man who 
 really feels himself to be such, will prove that 
 he is humble before God by submission to his 
 will, and by a meek and unassuming deport- 
 ment towards his fellow-creatures. This was 
 eminently the case in the conduct of Mr. C. 
 He had a deep and thorough conviction of sin, 
 of his own unworthiness before God, and of his 
 obligation to the Saviour; so that in his suppli- 
 cations at the throne of grace, though he always 
 used strong language, he was ever at a loss for 
 words to express his own ideas of the deformity 
 of sin, and the excellencies of Christ. 
 
 Another amiable trait in the character of 
 Mr. Cranfield, was his lively feeling of gratitude 
 for mercies received. This spirit is always asso- 
 ciated with true humility; and, in proportion to 
 the Christian's sense of his own unworthiness, 
 is his thankfulness for those supplies which he 
 feels he has forfeited by his rebellion. He was 
 accustomed to view every blessing, both spirit- 
 ual and temporal, as coming to him immediately 
 from the hands of God, through the mediation 
 of the Son of his love. With the exception of 
 the pardon of his sins through the sacrifice of 
 Christ, there was nothing for which he appeared 
 so grateful as the preservation of his life during 
 the siege of Gibraltar, while he was yet in his 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 241 
 
 sins, and exposed to everlasting ruin. After 
 the Lord had opened his eyes, under the min- 
 istry of Mr. Romaine, and he had seen the 
 awful gulf, upon the very brink of which he 
 had been sporting, and from which he had been 
 so providentially delivered, he was utterly at a 
 loss for words with which to convey the feelings 
 of his thankful heart; and his gratitude, instead 
 of being diminished by the lapse of time, seemed 
 rather to increase with every year of his pro- 
 tracted existence. From the period of his 
 conversion, to the end of his life, he invariably 
 kept the anniversary of the bombardment as a. 
 day of solemn fasting and prayer. 
 
 But, in expressing his gratitude for mercies 
 received, he did not forget the instruments by 
 which they were conveyed to him. It was the 
 remark of several of his friends, that they never 
 knew a person more grateful for acts of kind- 
 ness than he was. The following is an extract 
 from a letter to a friend, from whom he had 
 received repeated favors: 
 
 Dec. 13, 1837. 
 "Dear Sir: — I am constrained, from a sense 
 of manifest unkindness, and want of respect, to 
 present to you a few lines, by way of acknowl- 
 edging my fault. I might plead excuses, such 
 21 
 
242 MEMOIR OF 
 
 as engagements in visiting the poor, and the 
 infirmity of age; but they will not do. I have 
 sinned, in that I have not paid that respect due 
 to you, and your God, through your hands; 
 but especially for that Christian affection and 
 respect which has abounded towards me and 
 mine. No doubt, you have had hard thoughts 
 of me. I pray the Lord to remove them. Time 
 has taught me that old friends are better than 
 new; and grace has improved this experience, 
 for friends in Christ will be so for ever. We 
 may part for a time, but only to meet again. I 
 can say, my conscience bearing me witness, 
 that you have not been off my mind one day. 
 Nay, it cannot be otherwise; for I have a writ- 
 ten list of my friends, for whom I pray every 
 morning, and you are nearly at the top. How 
 many times have I resolved to come and see 
 you, but something or other has always stepped 
 in to prevent it. 
 
 "Time has shaken me by the hand, and death 
 is behind me. I trust I have taken the warning, 
 and have fled to Jesus for refuge; and I find 
 by experience, that he is faithful in what he 
 has engaged to perform: namely, that when 
 heart and flesh shall fail, God will be the 
 strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 
 I bless his name for the abundant provision he 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. • 243 
 
 has made. — 'Thou art my hope, O Lord God, 
 thou art my trust even from my youth.' I am 
 a wonder to many, but thou art my strong 
 refuge; my mouth would be filled with his 
 praise all the day long, for he will not cast me 
 off in the time of old age. O, no, no! he will 
 not forsake me when my strength faileth. His 
 compassion binds him to comfort and relieve 
 his old servant. — Thus far I have written of 
 myself, that you may know what latitude I am 
 in." 
 
 Christian charity eminently adorned the mind 
 of Mr. Cranfield. The fruits of righteousness 
 are not solitary; they always grow in a cluster, 
 though in different persons the effect of one 
 may be more conspicuous than those of others. 
 The apostle intimates, that it is possible a man 
 may possess the tongue of an angel, the wis- 
 dom and faith of a prophet, and the zeal and 
 benevolence of a martyr; and for want of that 
 love which " beareth all things, believeth all 
 things, hopeth all things, and endureth all 
 things," he may, in the sight of God, be no 
 better than as sounding brass and a tinkling 
 cymbal. But the flame which burned in the 
 heart of Mr. Cranfield was conspicuous to all 
 around, — was evidently enkindled by the Holy 
 Spirit, and produced a cordial love and good- 
 
244 • MEMOIR OF 
 
 will toward his fellow-creatures, of whatever 
 grade or country, sect or party they were. 
 
 Though the lot of Mr. C. was cast princi- 
 pally among the Dissenters, yet he was no 
 sectarian. When asked whether he was a 
 Churchmen or a Dissenter, he would sometimes 
 say, " I scarcely know. When I see the Dis- 
 senters diligent and active in the cause of 
 Christ, burning with zeal for the honor and 
 glory of his name, then I am inclined to be a 
 Nonconformist; but when I see the Episcopa- 
 lians coming behind them, tripping up their 
 heels, and taking the lead in the glorious work, 
 then I say, The Church for ever!" He was 
 well acquainted with the nature and history of 
 dissent, having in his younger days read many 
 of the old authors, and works of a controversial 
 nature; but in his latter days he read few books 
 besides his Bible, and never troubled his head 
 about parties and systems. As an exception, 
 however, to this general remark, it must be 
 noticed, that he was much opposed to the doc- 
 trine of the high, or rather hyper-Calvinists. 
 "Don't talk to me about preaching only to the 
 elect," he would sometimes say, "till you can 
 chalk them on the back." At other times he 
 would remark, "To talk of converting sinners 
 by preaching only to saints, is an absurdity. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 245 
 
 Such persons are wiser than the apostle Peter, 
 for he preached to one in the gall of bitterness 
 and in the bonds of iniquity." 
 
 Benevolence, however, appeared to be the 
 master passion of Mr. Cranfield's mind. He 
 studied the pattern, followed the steps, and 
 drank largely into the spirit of his Lord and 
 Master. He had not the gift of miracles, but 
 he had a tender fellow-feeling for the poor and 
 afflicted, and he denied himself many lawful 
 gratifications for their sakes. He could cheer- 
 fully submit to any service, and thought nothing 
 too low, or too mean, in which to engage, if, 
 thereby, he could benefit either the souls or 
 the bodies of men. 
 
 Through every period of his Christian life, 
 he acted out the generous sentiment of the 
 Roman: "I am a man, and there is nothing 
 relating to mankind in which I do not feel in- 
 terested." He participated in the joys of his 
 neighbors, and shared their sorrows. He re- 
 joiced with those that rejoiced, and wept with 
 those that wept. By the poor he was consid- 
 ered a father. They were accustomed to con- 
 sult him in all their difficulties, for time or 
 eternity. Did the widow or orphan require 
 some one to assist them in settling their earthly 
 affairs; — they came to him, and his time was 
 21* 
 
246 MEMOIR OF 
 
 ever at their disposal, without fee or reward. 
 In settling the affairs of one widow, it is cal- 
 culated that he walked no less than 150 miles; 
 and it was very seldom, indeed, that he was 
 without some such business in hand. Many 
 who were involved in pecuniary difficulties, 
 sent for him, to intercede with their creditors 
 on their behalf; and in this he was invariably 
 successful. Were any in want of clothing to 
 protect them from the inclemency of the 
 weather; — they came to him. It was only on 
 the last day of his active life, that a poor 
 woman, whom he did not know, came to him, 
 and asked for a flannel garment; and had he 
 been in health another day, no doubt her re- 
 quest would have been granted. On these 
 occasions he always spoke to them concerning 
 their spiritual interests, and interrogated them 
 respecting their attendance on the means of 
 grace. When in better circumstances, he 
 would frequently board and lodge a whole 
 family until employment could be obtained, or 
 relief otherwise afforded. Many are the per- 
 sons, now living in respectability, whom he 
 has been the means of raising from obscurity 
 and want; and in his latter days, though crip- 
 pled in his means, he was still the friend of the 
 Lord's poor; and when circumstances, in his 
 opinion, have required it, he has cheerfully 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 247 
 
 parted with the dinner from his table, the 
 clothes from his person, and the blankets from 
 his bed. 
 
 It will be naturally supposed, that living as 
 he did, in the midst of a poor and crowded 
 neighborhood, the calls on his benevolence 
 were many and urgent; but there were so 
 many friends who felt proud to assist him in 
 this charitable employ, that he only had to 
 make a statement of the case, in order to ob- 
 tain the means of relieving it. The following 
 extract from a letter to a friend, exciting him 
 to acts of benevolence, will show his attention 
 to the afflicted poor: — 
 
 "Mint street, 8th June, 1831. 
 "Dear Sir, — I have been called to visit a 
 person in great distress, residing at No. 19, 
 Little Suffolk street. The man to all apppear- 
 ance is in a dying state. I inquired respecting 
 his hopes for eternity; and after relating to me 
 his experience, I found that he was building on 
 the covenant of works. This prop, upon which 
 he was leaning, was quickly removed, and he 
 began to tremble, finding he had no support. 
 I have given him Bunyan's 'Come and Wel- 
 come to Jesus Christ,' and other suitable 
 tracts, which have, I trust, been made a bless- 
 ing to him. 
 
248 MEMOIR OF 
 
 "I have constantly visited him since, and I 
 am happy to say, that, as far as I can judge, 
 both he and his wife are convinced of their 
 awful state, and are seeking for salvation in 
 Christ. But I have another thing to tell you: 
 these poor creatures are in a starving condition. 
 Last Sabbath, I saw that they had but a half- 
 penny cabbage between them for dinner. I 
 sent them a piece of meat from my table; and 
 frequently they have had nothing to eat till 
 they received it from my house. The landlord 
 now threatens to seize what {ew goods they 
 have for rent. The poor man has been re- 
 commended to the Surrey Chapel Benevolent 
 Society, but the little he received from that 
 source, is not sufficient to sustain life. I 
 therefore apply to you for assistance, being 
 anxious to save the bed, which appears to be 
 the only comfort of an earthly nature they 
 have. I feel persuaded, that whatever God 
 disposes your mind to give, will be thankfully 
 received. It would be an insult to say any 
 thing further: I cannot suppose that the soul of 
 a Christian can be drawn out in prayer for the 
 salvation of another, without feeling, at the 
 same time, an interest in his temporal welfare." 
 
 In these works of mercy, Mr. C. was un- 
 wearied and the sums of money he obtained 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 249 
 
 for the use of distressed objects, and his de- 
 votedness to their interests, were astonishing. 
 Many who knew nothing of his private affairs, 
 were led to suppose that he was a man of afflu- 
 ence, as his supplies appeared to be inexhausti- 
 ble; while, at the same time, he was, perhaps 
 as straitened in his circumstances as many on 
 whose behalf his benevolence was exercised, 
 not thinking himself at liberty to convert to his 
 own use, that which had been entrusted to him 
 for the use of others.* 
 
 Many have objected to him, that his zeal for 
 the welfare of others carried him beyond the 
 bounds of prudence, and prevented him from 
 being sufficiently provident for his family. To 
 a person who was speaking to him one day re- 
 specting his giving away that which he stood in 
 need of himself, he said, " Well now, come, let 
 us reason together. This morning I visited a 
 poor woman who was lying-in ; in one corner of 
 the room lay the poor creature on a morsel of 
 straw, with the new-born babe on one side of 
 her, and on the other was a child in the agonies 
 of death. I looked in the cupboard, and there 
 
 * In 1836, Mr. C.'s income became so reduced, that the 
 Rev. J. Arundel recommended him to the "Aged Pilgrims' 
 Society," from whom he received a small weekly allowance 
 until his death. 
 
250 MEMOIR OF 
 
 was not a morsel of food, neither was there 
 any fire in the grate, and the husband out of 
 employment. Now, what would you do in such 
 a case? The man who has but a sixpence to 
 call his own, and has a heart to withhold it, 
 under such circumstances, must be a monster. 
 My Bible tells me that " whoso hath this world's 
 good, and seeth his brother have need, and 
 shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, 
 how dwelleth the love of God in him?" Be- 
 fore any person, therefore, can form a correct 
 opinion of his conduct in this respect, he must 
 possess something of his philanthropic disposi- 
 tion, and know more of the wretchedness which 
 he sometimes witnessed in the squalid abodes 
 of those to whom he often appeared as an angel 
 of mercy. It was the delight of his heart to. 
 relieve the wants of others. "O, what a mercy 
 it is, "he would sometimes say, "that I am 
 able to assist my fellow-creatures;" and this 
 employment he considered as much his privi- 
 lege as his duty. 
 
 But though his regard for the poor, in gen- 
 eral, was great, it did not equal his solicitude 
 for the welfare of those who were his brethren 
 in Christ. The Lord's poor he considered had 
 especial claims upon his sympathies and pray- 
 ers; for them he would beg almost from door 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 251 
 
 to door, and in such a way that few could resist 
 the force of his appeal. "Consider," he would 
 sometimes say (as the purse was drawn from 
 the pocket, or some article of consumption was 
 being tied up), "for whom you are doing it: it 
 is for one of God's children, and that is no 
 mean person." The Rev. R. Hill, towards the 
 close of his life, was in the habit of placing a 
 certain amount of silver in his purse every 
 morning, for the purpose of casual distribution, 
 and Mr. C. would frequently come in and lay 
 before him a case of distress in such a manner 
 as would have the effect of quickly emptying 
 it of the whole of its contents; and after his 
 departure, Mr. H. would sometimes observe, 
 "When that compound of all that is good and 
 excellent comes here, he makes me ashamed 
 of myself, and I can really deny him nothing." 
 As a Christian, Mr. Cranfield generally ap- 
 peared cheerful and happy, and was frequently 
 as playful as a child. The children of his 
 charge loved him as a father; and on his road 
 to the school, he was usually met by a little 
 company of them, for the purpose of escorting 
 him to the place of instruction. One would 
 seize his hand, another his coat, and the whole 
 would gather around him so closely, that it 
 was with difficulty he could proceed; whilst the 
 
252 MEMOIR OF 
 
 neighbors would stand at their doors and say, 
 "God bless that dear old man!" 
 
 At times, however, Mr. C. experienced con- 
 siderable mental depression: but these seasons 
 were generally of short duration, as on their 
 approach he would either seek refuge in his 
 Bible, or at the throne of grace; or he would 
 sit down to write, for his own improvement. 
 The latter method he very frequently practised 
 and generally succeeded in writing himself into 
 a good frame. The following is an interesting 
 specimen of this species of writing which he 
 addressed to his daughters: — 
 
 " Good Friday, 1832. 
 "Dear Children,— I have been this day 
 to partake of the elements commemorative of 
 my dying Lord; but, alas, my mind appeared 
 overspread with a cloud, so that I could not 
 see the Sun of righteousness; consequently, 
 my views of Christ crucified were not cheering, 
 but dull, I was in a stupor, having no active 
 apprehension of the Saviour. I find I am at a 
 distance from him, as though I were not of the 
 family, a stranger at home, a lifeless frame, 
 every trifle a trouble; nothing pleasant, no 
 love for the word, no appetite to read and medi- 
 tate. I take up one book and then another, 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 253 
 
 and lay them down, without any impression of a 
 spiritual nature on my mind. I want (and 
 nothing can satisfy me but that) a sense of the 
 pardoning love of God. I am as a ship without 
 compass or pilot, uncertain as to my steering; 
 fearful I shall upset on some rock, and make 
 shipwreck of faith. Thus I have been poring in 
 the dark, to seek for light. It is true my nature 
 is sin and ignorance; I must not expect any 
 consolation from within. O, to look through 
 the cloud by faith, and see Jesus seated on the 
 right hand of the Majesty on high, pleading for 
 me! God is humbling me, and giving me to see 
 my poverty, that I may live more by faith. I 
 have known what it is to believe in the dark, 
 and have experienced the blessed effects of it 
 so that I have actually possessed the blessings 
 contained in the promises of God, and enjoyed 
 them, as seeing them afar off. This one thing 
 I do know, that there is no enjoyment but what 
 springs from a sense of the pardoning love of 
 God applied by the Holy Spirit. This then, 
 is my encouragement; although I cannot go to 
 Christ as a child to his father, I can go as a 
 poor sinner, saying, 'God be merciful unto me!' 
 I have been inquiring why my soul is so cast 
 down, and what I am to do in this lifeless frame. 
 My Bible says, 'hope thou in God' — in faithful- 
 22 
 
254 MEMOIR OF 
 
 ness. He is not a man that he should lie: 
 He hath said, and he will do it. My dear 
 girls, there is a dawn of light this moment 
 sprung up in my heart from his precious word: 
 'who is there among you that walketh in dark- 
 ness, and hath no light, let him trust in the 
 Lord, and stay upon his God.' And again, 
 'When the poor and needy seek water, and there 
 is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, 
 I the Lord will hear them; I the God of Israel 
 will not forsake them.' O, here is comfort! 
 here are fresh supplies of living water! let me 
 lay down my pen, and look at these sweet por- 
 tions. I begin at the 40th of Isaiah and read 
 on through the 41st and 42d chapters. Why I 
 have been like Hagar in the wilderness — near 
 the well, without being able to see it. Thus, 
 you see, I am getting a little into the light, al- 
 though it is now ten o'clock at night. The 
 flesh says, 'Thomas, to bed;' but the Spirit 
 says, 'Go on.' Which of the two am I to 
 obey? My head says, 'the flesh.' Well, 
 then, I will go and take some of those sweet 
 portions, and plead them before the Lord. 
 Farewell! Good-night. 
 
 "Saturday, — I have slept well, and find 
 myself much better. Took a walk, and looked 
 in at the school; came home somewhat weary 
 — read an interesting tract about a sailor, and 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 255 
 
 here I am, waiting for a bright day. It is good 
 that a man doth wait and hope in the Lord. I 
 had this afternoon a sweet view of the barrel 
 of meal; it did not waste by using; there was 
 a constant supply. So it is with Christ; 
 although he has enriched millions, he is not in 
 the least impoverished. No, 'he giveth more 
 grace. Well, then, 'why, being the King's 
 son, so lean from day to day?' The reason is 
 obvious: 'Ye will not come unto me,' says 
 Christ, 'that ye may have life.' I have been a 
 little way with our Lord through the vineyard, 
 John xv. O, when the blessed husbandman 
 takes up his knife, it sometimes cuts keenly, 
 and makes us feel and cry out. This I know 
 is not joyous but grievous, yet it doth yield 
 the peaceable fruits of righteousness; and the 
 result is, he bringeth more fruit unto God. 
 
 "Sabbath. — Awoke at half-past twelve. — A 
 great fire in Kent street. — I feel thankful that 
 I am preserved. Arose early, and feel myself 
 well, but weak. I feel the necessity of abiding 
 in Christ by repeated acts of faith. I do find 
 that when I depart from Christ, though it be 
 but partially, or when I neglect my duty, I 
 get into a poor, withered, fruitless condition. 
 Pray, pray, pray for 
 
 "Your most affectionate father, 
 
 "Thos. Cranfield." 
 
256 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Although Mr. Cranfield appeared generally 
 in a truly spiritual frame of mind, yet it is cer- 
 tain, that he had great and frequent conflicts 
 with the prince of darkness. He appeared, 
 during the whole of life, to be an especial 
 mark at which that enemy of souls shot his 
 fiery darts. No doubt, the natural disposition 
 of Mr. C. (being a man of remarkable strong 
 feelings) invited his foe to the attack. What 
 the precise nature of those conflicts was, is 
 not exactly certain, as he generally appeared 
 to manifest an aversion to talk on the subject; 
 but it is evident they were very severe. He 
 has sometimes declared to his family, that he 
 had experienced struggles quite as desperate 
 as that described in the "Pilgrim's Progress," 
 between Christian and Apollyon, insomuch 
 that the perspiration has started from every 
 pore. The following passage in the life of 
 John Bunyan, he has marked with his own 
 hand, and has written in the margin, "This is 
 my experience." 
 
 "But in this work, as in all other, I had my 
 temptations attending me, and that of divers 
 kinds; as sometimes when I have been vio- 
 lently assaulted with thoughts of blasphemy, 
 and strongly tempted to speak the words with 
 my mouth before the congregation. 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 257 
 
 "I have also, while found in this blessed 
 work of Christ, been often tempted to pride 
 and liftings up of heart; and though I dare not 
 say I have not been affected with this, yet 
 truly, the Lord, of his precious mercy, hath 
 so carried it towards me, that I have had small 
 joy to give way to such a thing." 
 
 But these struggles, though violent, were 
 short; being well armed with the sword of 
 the Spirit, and having a wonderful address in 
 the use of it, he came off more than conqueror, 
 through the strength and assistance of the 
 Captain of his salvation. These conflicts, 
 however, were not unattended with blessings — 
 as they led him to watch and to pray — to abide 
 more beneath the shadow of the Almighty, 
 and to depend more upon him for strength to 
 help in time of need. 
 
 It might be said of Mr. Cranfield, as it was 
 of Apollos, that he was mighty in the Scriptures. 
 There was no part of the word of God with 
 which he did not appear to be thoroughly 
 acquainted; and although, in the latter part 
 of his life, his memory commonly failed him 
 upon other subjects, yet, when asked to prove 
 any doctrine of the gospel, he could repeat 
 texts one after another, giving chapter and 
 verse for each, almost as correctly as if he 
 22* 
 
258 MEMOIR OF 
 
 quoted them from a concordance. In social 
 parties he was often very amusing, in the 
 manner, and readiness, with which he detected 
 the mistakes of some garrulous friend. A 
 gentleman, one evening, having discoursed 
 very long and learnedly upon the sinfulness of 
 calling our fellow-creatures hypocrites, con- 
 cluded by saying, that there was no instance 
 in the whole word of God of any righteous 
 person calling a man a hypocrite, save him 
 who searcheth the heart. To which Mr. C. 
 replied with a good-humored smile, and with- 
 out a moment's hesitation, "God shall smite 
 thee, thou whited wall." At another time, 
 being told that there was neither precept nor 
 command in the Bible for giving thanks after 
 meat, he immediately quoted Deut. 8: 10, 
 "When thou hast eaten and art full, then 
 thou shalt bless the Lord thy God, and the 
 good land which he hath given thee." The 
 holy Scriptures, indeed, were his continual 
 study. Few persons entered the room without 
 finding the Bible before him; and if in the 
 night he could get no sleep, he would fre- 
 quently light a candle, and read and pray for 
 hours together. In the day-time he seldom 
 read without pen, ink, and paper, by his side, 
 for the purpose of noting down any thing that 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 259 
 
 might strike his attention. The sayings of 
 Christ, as recorded in the four Gospels, were 
 always remarkably precious to his soul. He 
 used to say, that there was a power and fulness 
 in them, such as he could find no where else. 
 At one time, when confined to his home by 
 indisposition, he marked in his Bible, with a 
 pen, under every word uttered by our Saviour; 
 and at another, he copied them out with his own 
 hand. He was accustomed to read his Bible 
 quite through, and always with some particular 
 design — sometimes to discover for himself, 
 when, and under what circumstances, the 
 promise of the Messiah was given; at another 
 time, to find if God revealed himself to his 
 people in any other than a relative character; 
 and in the year that closed his life, he studied 
 it with a view to direct all its promises and 
 threatenings, personally to himself. This he 
 found to be a truly profitable employment, and 
 his mind became enriched thereby. The fol- 
 lowing is a letter he wrote to his daughter 
 while engaged in this work: — 
 
 " 8th October, 1838. 
 
 "My Dear Martha, — 'Here we suffer 
 grief and pain.' — I am going through the fire, 
 but am wonderfully supported. Things in the 
 
260 MEMOIR OF 
 
 family are as they should be, in reference to 
 God's dealings in afflictive dispensations. Af- 
 flictions flow from the heart of God, therefore 
 they are not to be despised. They are proofs 
 of our sonship, so they are profitable; they 
 promote fellowship and communion with God. 
 They are profitable, when we look not at the 
 things that are seen. When faith is in exer- 
 cise, she looks beyond the cloud Faith has to 
 do with unseen things. Alas! what is the world 
 with all its enjoyments? Dog's-meat — in com- 
 parison with fellowship with God. O, ye sons 
 of wealth and ease, I envy you not; I possess 
 all; my estate is vast, beyond limits; I have 
 more than Adam lost; I have Christ, with all 
 the perfection of Deity, made over to me in a 
 covenant sealed by the blood of Christ, wit- 
 nessed by the Holy Spirit to my soul. See the 
 Judge's hand-writing — 'Your sins and your 
 iniquities I will remember no more.' I have 
 also the hand of my God, in writing — 'That 
 he will carry me through old age;' therefore I 
 fear not. O yes, my dear child, I have a 
 lodging between the shoulders of Christ — here 
 I am safe. I have laid all my concerns, with 
 my children and their little ones, upon the 
 same shoulders. Now, hear what my cov- 
 enant God, my family Jehovah, says, 'Heark- 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 261 
 
 en unto me,' (Dear Lord! close my ears to all 
 without and within,) 'hearken unto me, O 
 house of Thomas Cranfield, which are borne 
 by me from the belly, which are carried from 
 the womb: and even to your old age I am He; 
 and even to hoar hairs will I carry you; I have 
 made, and I will hear; even I will carry and 
 deliver you.' 
 
 "Here is a cordial for an old man; and here 
 I am, a witness for God, that he is faithful to 
 his engagement. May the Lord bless you; 
 and when it is well with you, remember — 
 "Your affectionate father, 
 
 "Thos. Cranfield." 
 
 "P. S. — O, dear! my head is bad; I am 
 ashamed of this note. Well, it maybe my last. 
 I feel the old man; I would shake him off, but 
 I cannot; and my Father knows that my 
 strength is to sit still. Faith says it is best for 
 me: then as I need it, I must go out of myself 
 for support." 
 
 Thus much must suffice for the description 
 of his personal character. His character as a 
 teacher of the young, and visiter of the afflict- 
 ed, will be given in the following chapter. 
 
262 MEMOIR OF 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 THE CHARACTER OF MR. CRANF1ELD, AS A SABBATH 
 SCHOOL TEACHER AND VISITER OF THE AFFLICTED. 
 
 Whatever view we take of the character 
 of Mr. Cranfield, we find in it something 
 interesting and striking; but as a Sabbath 
 school teacher, and visiter of the poor and 
 afflicted, no man, perhaps, was more exten- 
 sively useful, and signally successful. There 
 is no doubt that he was raised up of God for 
 the important station he was called to occupy, 
 and that he was eminently qualified by the 
 Holy Spirit for the times in which he appeared. 
 
 As a teacher, he was, undoubtedly, one of 
 the most eminent, indefatigable, zealous and 
 useful of any that have appeared since the 
 formation of Sabbath schools, by the immortal 
 Raikes. 
 
 In all his engagements at the school, punc- 
 tuality was strictly observed by him; this he 
 considered an indispensable qualification for a 
 teacher. Nothing appeared to ruffle him more 
 than to see the teachers come in half an hour 
 after the time for opening the school. Such 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 263 
 
 persons he would sometimes accost on their 
 entrance, as perfect strangers, and very 
 gravely ask them if they were teachers, or 
 what was their business there? During the 
 whole period of his labors, he was never known 
 to absent himself from the school on account 
 of the weather; nothing but indisposition was 
 considered by him a sufficient excuse for such 
 neglect of duty. 
 
 In the class, he was kind, serious and 
 interesting; and in the desk, solemn, persua- 
 sive and energetic. Indeed, in his addresses 
 to the children, the energy of his spirit and of 
 his utterance was such as is seldom exceeded 
 in Sabbath schools. He would give such 
 scope to his feelings, as often to be so over- 
 come, that it was with difficulty he could 
 proceed. Frequently, both teachers and chil- 
 dren were excited to tears, by his pathetic 
 representations of the love of the Saviour, and 
 his readiness to receive sinners. He spoke 
 with authority as a messenger from God, and 
 his language, though not always in perfect 
 accordance with the rules laid down by schol- 
 ars, was nevertheless, in strict accordance with 
 the inspired rule of life. The sense he had of 
 the evil of sin, the worth of souls, and the 
 nearness of eternity, filled his soul with holy 
 
264 MEMOIR OF 
 
 ardor, and raised him far above that cold criti- 
 cal nicety of expression, which, while it pleases 
 the ear, leaves the heart unsubdued. 
 
 The methods he sometimes used, for the 
 purpose of fixing the attention of the children, 
 and impressing their minds, were striking, and 
 often productive of the most happy results. 
 One day, after energetically urging his youth- 
 ful hearers to flee from the wrath to come, he 
 exclaimed, "Children, do you know whither 
 you are going? Did you ever in your life, for 
 a moment, think whether you are going to 
 heaven or hell? If not, think of it now. Do 
 not delay; time is precious, and the next 
 moment may hurry you into an eternal world. 
 O, do examine yourselves; let each one ask 
 himself and herself, am I going to heaven or 
 hell?" and then taking out his watch, he laid 
 it on the desk, and said, "Come, I will give 
 you three minutes to think of the matter." 
 The children, during this time, remained in 
 the most profound silence; and there is no 
 doubt, that many seriously considered the 
 question. At other times, he would quote 
 passages of Scripture, and direct them person- 
 ally to the children by name, in this manner: — 
 "Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth! and 
 let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 265 
 
 youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, 
 and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, 
 Thomas Jones, — know thou, Mary Smith, — 
 know thou, William Farrell (pointing to each), 
 that for all these things, God will bring thee 
 into judgment." The children, by these 
 means, were often much affected, and even 
 the teachers have declared, that so powerful 
 has been the impression* made upon their 
 minds, that the remembrance of many of his 
 expressions would be carried with them to the 
 grave. 
 
 The success of Mr Cranfield's labors was 
 extraordinary. Several instances of usefulness 
 have already been recorded; besides these, 
 there are many others of an extremely inter- 
 esting character, the details of which have, 
 from time to time, been transmitted to the 
 Committee of the Southwark Society, by whom 
 they are preserved in a book, kept for that 
 purpose, with many other documents of a sim- 
 ilar kind which have been furnished by the 
 various schools connected with that institution. 
 Indeed, he was continually being called to 
 visit the happy death-beds of some of his 
 scholars, and seldom, or never, did an old 
 scholars' meeting break up, without some 
 declaring that his instructions were made 
 23 
 
266 MEMOIR OF 
 
 instrumental in their conversion. In the latter 
 part of his life, it be may said, without exag- 
 geration, that scarcely a week elapsed without 
 his being met in his walks by one or more of 
 his old scholars, who thanked him for his 
 attention, and told him, that the Lord had met 
 with them in the way of mercy through his 
 instrumentality. 
 
 The great secret of his success appears to 
 have been his love of prayer, his faith in the 
 promises of God, and his entire dependence 
 upon the Holy Spirit, in all his efforts. Like 
 Elisha, when he raised to life the son of the 
 Shunamite, he commenced the work with 
 secret prayer, and then, while careful to con- 
 tract himself, as it were, within the narrow 
 limits of the children's understanding, he 
 stretched his powers to the utmost, as an 
 instrument, to warm their hearts with a Sa- 
 viour's love, and to raise them from a death of 
 sin to a life of righteousness. He knew, indeed, 
 that it was not by might nor by power, but by 
 the Spirit of God, that sinners were to be 
 converted; that doctrine was ever prominent 
 in all his discourses; but he was also aware 
 that God worked by means, and that an icicle 
 was a most unlikely instrument to enkindle a 
 flame. 
 
THOMAS C K A N F I E L D . 267 
 
 In all his instructions to the children, he 
 had an eye to the parents, and seldom finished 
 his addresses without repeating some short 
 sentiment or striking anecdote, which the 
 scholars were requested to carry home. 
 
 Nor was he active in the cause, only when 
 at school. Much of his time was also occupied 
 at home, in composing catechisms upon various 
 subjects, both for the instruction of the children 
 and the use of the teachers. These catechisms 
 alone are so numerous, and some of them of 
 such extreme length, as to induce the supposi- 
 tion, that the whole of his leisure time must 
 have been employed In that exercise. 
 
 It was the plan of Mr. Cranfield, if it could 
 be avoided, never to lose sight of the children 
 that had been instructed in the school. He 
 followed them as far as he was able, to the 
 stations they occupied in the world, inquiring 
 into their conduct, and exhorting them to 
 continue in the things they had learned. He 
 was constantly writing to some of them to know 
 the state of their minds, and to ascertain if 
 they were still traveling to Zion with their faces 
 thitherward. Many letters, of an interesting 
 character, still remain, that he received from 
 the old scholars, in answer to his inquiries. 
 
 In writing to the old scholars, his language 
 
268 MEMOIR OF 
 
 was calculated to affect their hearts; and they 
 who refused to believe, were often compelled 
 to tremble. To the old scholars whom he 
 knew to be living in sin, he was generally very 
 severe. He well knew the gall and bitterness 
 of a state of bondage to the powers of darkness, 
 for it had been his own; and he hated sin so 
 universally in all its forms, that his declarations 
 against it were both pointed and searching. 
 
 These letters were sure to be followed by a 
 visit, when another reproof would be received 
 from him in person. The fear of the Lord had 
 raised him above the fear of man; and he 
 thought it his duty to be equally zealous and 
 bold in expostulating with his guilty scholars, 
 wherever he met them. 
 
 He was always careful that none of the 
 children should go out into the world without 
 a Bible. If they had none of their own, they 
 were furnished with one, either out of the 
 teachers' fund, or at his own expense, and 
 generally with some remarks in his own hand- 
 writing, on the cover or fly-leaf. The follow- 
 ing lines were written in a Bible presented to a 
 little girl:— 
 
 "This book of books is presented to you 
 from a friendly regard for your spiritual wel- 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 269 
 
 fare. It is one of the most eminent means of 
 converting the soul. This book is well adapt- 
 ed, by the Spirit of God, to teach man solid 
 wisdom in things pertaining to himself and 
 godliness. ' The fear of the Lord is the begin- 
 ning of wisdom.' My dear young friend, let me 
 exhort you to seek a saving knowledge of God 
 in Christ forthwith; for, compared with this, 
 all other knowledge is vain and useless. Next 
 to this, I would that you honor your mother, 
 gladly receive her instruction, and earnestly 
 practise it, in order to promote the fear of God 
 in your mind. See that, with utmost circum- 
 spection and eagerness, you avoid all unnec- 
 essary fellowship with the wicked. Oh, do not 
 listen to their flattering inducements; for, if 
 they once entangle you, they will perpetually 
 hurry you on from one horrid course to anoth- 
 er. How necessary, then, that you should 
 make this book the man of your counsel. It is 
 with earnest prayer, I present it to you. 
 
 "Thos. Cranfield. 
 "4th July, 1826." 
 
 In visiting and comforting the sick and 
 afflicted, Mr. Cranfield was as active and 
 successful as in his endeavors to feed the 
 lambs of Christ's flock. The number of per 
 
 23* 
 
270 MEMOIR OF 
 
 sons whose spiritual eyes he has been the 
 means of opening, through these seasonable 
 visits, is surprising; and jet our wonder ceases 
 when we consider the means he employed for 
 the purpose. His first care was to see if they 
 were in possession of a Bible; and if they could 
 not read, he would either go every day, or 
 perhaps twice or thrice a day, himself, or send 
 some other person, to read to them. He then 
 presented their case before the throne of the 
 Divine Majesty, and would spend hours in 
 prayer on their behalf. His visits were always 
 continued till either the affliction was in some 
 measure removed, or the sufferer died. 
 
 Perhaps few persons were better adapted 
 for visiting the poor and afflicted than Mr. 
 Cranfield. Having passed through almost 
 every variety of suffering himself, he could 
 enter into the feelings of others, and, like an 
 experienced physician, knew exactly what 
 remedies to administer, and where to apply 
 them. But to no class of persons was he more 
 eminently useful, than to those who, having 
 been convinced of sin, were led by Satan to 
 believe that their crimes were of too great a 
 magnitude to be pardoned. To such persons 
 he would open such a catalogue of offences 
 that he himself had committed, and from which 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 271 
 
 the blood of Jesus Christ had cleansed him, 
 that every mouth became stopped, and multi- 
 tudes who had been saying, "He will be 
 favorable no more, his mercy is clean gone 
 for ever," have, from the detail of his experi- 
 ence, been encouraged to hope in the Lord, 
 and have eventually experienced the truth of 
 the Psalmist's declaration, "There is forgive- 
 ness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." 
 At the sick chambers, therefore, of poor 
 unfortunate females, he was generally a physi- 
 cian of value; and as his age and character 
 placed him above suspicion, he scrupled not 
 to go into these very worst abodes of infamy, 
 disease and wretchedness. It will not be 
 known till the morning of the resurrection, 
 what benefits have resulted from his labors 
 among this class of persons; one instance only 
 must here suffice. 
 
 About the year 1815, he was sent for, in 
 great haste, to visit an unhappy female who 
 had attempted to commit suicide, and whose 
 life was despaired of. In the messenger, who 
 came with the hasty summons, he recognized 
 an old scholar of the Mint school, but her 
 appearance was so much altered, that it was 
 with difficulty he remembered her features. 
 The dew of health had departed from her 
 
272 MEMOIR OF 
 
 cheeks; her eyes had ceased to sparkle with 
 their former lustre, and her general appear- 
 ance but too plainly indicated the class of 
 characters with which she was associated. 
 He went with her to the house of mourning, 
 and was assiduous in his attention both to her 
 and her companion. The one was raised again 
 from what was thought to be her dying bed, 
 but returned to her former vicious course. 
 The other, however, exhibited tokens of true 
 penitence and deep contrition, and was re- 
 claimed from the paths of infamy and sorrow, 
 and, by the blessing of God on the endeavors 
 of her teacher and friend, she "was delivered 
 from the power of darkness, and translated into 
 the kingdom of his dear Son." Mr. C. raised 
 a small weekly subscription for her, and pro- 
 cured her a little needle-work, by which she 
 was enabled to live in comfort the rest of her 
 days. But the seeds of a fatal disorder, which 
 it was impossible for medical skill to eradicate, 
 had been produced in her delicate frame, in 
 consequence of her former irregularities and 
 exposure to the night air. Her health gradu- 
 ally wasted away, and, after two years of the 
 most consistent walk and conversation, she 
 was released from pain and suffering, and, no 
 doubt, was admitted into that heavenly Jerusa- 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 273 
 
 lem, ''where the inhabitants shall no more say 
 they arc sick, and the people that dwell therein 
 are forgiven their iniquities." Mr. C. watched 
 over her, till her death, with parental affection; 
 and the expressions of gratitude which fell 
 from her lips were truly delightful and encour- 
 aging. "The blessing of one that was ready 
 to perish came upon him," and if he had lived 
 for no other purpose than to be instrumental in 
 plucking this brand from the burning, his 
 would have been a useful life. 
 
 But believers in Christ were the objects of 
 his peculiar regard. For them he spent much 
 time, both at the throne of grace and at the 
 writing-table. His letters to mourners in Zion 
 would fill a large and interesting volume. 
 
 The following letter to his son, at the Mar- 
 gate Infirmary, affords an admirable specimen 
 of his ability in comforting those that mourn: — 
 
 "My very dear Richard, — I received your 
 kind letter, and thank you for your remem- 
 brance of me. My soul yearns over you, and 
 am saying inwardly, 'By what shall I comfort 
 you.' Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, 
 and lean not to thine own understanding. 
 Your state is ordered by a wise counsel; for, 
 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my 
 
274 MEMOIR OF 
 
 pleasure.' The counsels of the Lord are deep; 
 the result of unerring wisdom. The matter, 
 means and end are all therein connected. O, 
 that God should consult our welfare! He is 
 c wise in all his ways, and holy in all his 
 works.' God promises to own them in cap- 
 tivity; so he does. All his, in whatever 
 condition they may be, he promises to support 
 them, and deliver them. You have a skilful 
 pilot at the helm. 'Be still, and know that I 
 am God.' You know that Jeremiah, who is 
 an old friend of mine, says, 'If thou hast run 
 with the footmen and they weary thee, how 
 shalt thou contend with horsemen ? ' Remem- 
 ber, God's thoughts are thoughts of peace, to 
 give you an expected end. I know your state 
 is rather galling; but I see there is much 
 mixture of mercy. It affords me great pleas- 
 ure to hear that you are so usefully employed 
 in distributing tracts. Who knows but that 
 the Lord has sent you to Margate, to be the 
 means of the salvation of some poor sinner? 
 This will make up for all your pain and sorrow. 
 "The best remedy I can find for trials is 
 patience; so let patience have her perfect 
 work. Cheerfully submit to the hands of God, 
 and say, ' The cup which my heavenly Father 
 giveth me, shall I not drink it? ' Look at 
 Micah 7: 9, 'I will bear the indignation of 
 
THOMAS CRANFIELD. 275 
 
 the Lord.' When thus resigned, affliction will 
 cease to be affliction, because it has produced 
 the end designed by it. O, my dear boy, I 
 know what I am writing; I am not a novice 
 in the school of Christ. It is said of Luther, 
 that he could not understand some psalms till 
 he was afflicted. Christ's cross is no letter in 
 the book, 'and yet,' says he, 'it has taught 
 me more than all the letters in the book.' O, 
 yes, affliction is a golden key, by which the 
 Lord opens the rich treasures of his word to 
 his people; and I think you will have to 
 acknowledge it before you get off your couch, 
 — this I have experienced. The benefit of 
 this affliction may be handed down to your 
 grandchildren, as I trust you have derived 
 profit from those of your grandfather. Read 
 the last verse in Micah, and see with what 
 solemnity the covenant of grace is ratified to 
 you, and with what satisfaction it may be 
 relied on by you. The Lord will perform his 
 truth and mercy; not one jot or tittle of it shall 
 fail. Faithful is he that hath promised, who 
 also will do it. O, let us, my dear boy, rejoice 
 in and praise the pardoning mercy of our 
 family God. Amen. 
 
 "I remain your affectionate father, 
 
 "Thomas Cranfield. 
 
 "Sept. 6th, 1838." 
 
276 MEMOIR OF CRANFIELD. 
 
 In closing the memoir of this extraordinary 
 man, it will be only necessary to add, that it has 
 not been attempted here to draw a perfect char- 
 acter. Mr. Cranfield, no doubt, had his failings, 
 like all other men; but no one understood them 
 better than he did, nor could any one be more 
 ready to condemn them, than he was to con- 
 demn himself. It is sufficient to observe that 
 "watch and pray" was his motto; and that his 
 life was a practical commentary upon the words 
 of the apostle, "I keep under my body, and 
 bring it into subjection, lest that by any means, 
 when I have preached to others, I myself should 
 become a cast -away." 
 
 May the surviving members of the bereaved 
 family, and those who were the companions 
 and fellow-laborers of this eminently favored 
 disciple of Jesus — of whose useful and protract- 
 ed career a plain and faithful account has been 
 thus attempted — together with all that shall pe- 
 ruse this narrative, "be followers of him who, 
 through faith and patience, now inherits the 
 promises," and, like him/' receive abundance 
 of grace and of the gift of righteousness, and 
 reign in life by Jesus Christ."— To whom be 
 glory for ever! Amen. 
 
.